“Doctor?” an older girl’s voice called, startled. “Doctor! That kid they brought in the other day just woke up!” she practically cheered, rapid footsteps racing out of the room.

Taylor’s vision slowly started to come back blurry like in the ambulance. The young girl from the ride smiled from the doorway which was the the only thing he could see clearly, and she waved at him then turned around walking through the door, seeming to disappear into nothing.

Moments later an older female with a white coat came into the room, “Just lay still sweetie. I need to take some readings from the machine, and then we can get you something to drink ok?”

Taylor tried to speak but his throat was so dry, all he could do was nod his head yes.

“Thats a good girl.” Wait, what? “Ok I’m going to take your blood pressure then I promise you that drink.” the woman in the white coat said with a gentle smile.

“I’ve got it, ma’am,” the older girl’s voice called from the door. “I’m heading that way anyway so I’ll bring you a pitcher of ice water for her.”

“Thank you Natalie; you’re such a big help around here.” The woman smiled.

Taylor lay in the bed, wondering why everyone was calling him a her and she, he was a boy wasn’t he? He used to play boy games with the other boys, climbed trees, even lifted a few skirts at school which got him into a lot of trouble, but that is what boys do isnt it? Yet somehow this felt right. This was what he wanted, just like his sister.

“Ok sweetie, when Natalie gets back she will help you get that drink down, and maybe you can tell us your name ok?” The woman smiled reassuringly. “I’ve got another patient to go check on, but I’ll be back.” And with that she stood up and walked out of the room.

“Oh, sorry,” Natalie giggled a little as she stepped aside to let the doctor pass. A moment later a 16 or 17 year old with dark hair, dressed in a plain, pale pink hospital uniform approached and wordlessly poured up a glass of iced water, carefully dropping in a bendy straw. “Here you go. Try and take small sips at first okay?” she instructed gently as she held the glass, tilting the straw to Taylor’s lips.

Taylor nodded his head, and put his lips around the straw, taking a small sip of the water which felt good on his badly parched throat. Then he tried to speak again, “Where..” he couldn’t finish because the sip of water wasn’t enough to clear the dryness.

“Where are you?” Natalie guessed. “You’re in the children’s ward at Kingsley Hospital. They almost had to airlift you to New Haven but you suddenly stabilized. You took quite a few hits, from what I was told,” she added with a frown, continuing to patiently hold the glass.

Taylor took some more small sips till the dryness started to fade then started to drink the water faster. He started to become aware of a growing pain in his chest, whispering, “My chest hurts.” He had finally got out a squeak that definitely wasn’t his voice. It was close, but it was a different octave then what he used to sound like, even at his age.

Natalie nodded. “You’ve got some damage still. Broken arm and a couple of cracked ribs I think.” She paused to smile sheepishly. “Don’t take it the wrong way or anything, but I’ve kind of been checking up on you ever since they brought you in. I’m a senior girl scout, and I’ve got a few girls your age kind of under my wing.”

Taylor looked at the girl and then over to his arm, noticing it was lifted up. The pain medication was slowly wearing off, and he was starting to notice the pain in his body, “Oooouch. It hurts alot.”

“Try not to move too much.” She paused, glancing up at the IV drip and frowned. “Oh, hang on just one second okay? I’ll go grab a nurse,” she instructed, without even waiting for a response before racing out of the room, her ponytail bobbing energetically behind her.

“Natalie says you’re having some pain?” a woman with bobbed medium-blonde hair, dressed in a colorful flower print top and fuscia slacks asked as she stepped into the room. “Oh, well no wonder. Your IV drip ran dry. Here, let me just change that out; you’ll feel better in no time.”

She quickly changed out the medicine drip, glancing down at the patient. “So what’s your name, honey? Do you remember anything about what happened?” she asked, trying to distract her from the physical pain.

“Taylor” he said and shook his head no to answer the other part, “I was playing in the park then I woke up here.”

“Thats such a pretty name, like the singer Taylor Swift.” the woman smiled at Taylor, “Ok you’re all set sweetie, If you need anything else just have Natalie come get me.”

Natalie smiled as she poked her head around the corner again. “And just let me know if you’d rather be left alone,” she added with a wink. “You’ve been through a lot. I’m just glad you’re going to be okay.”

“Can.. can you stay with me?” Taylor asked shyly, still unsure why his voice sounded different, maybe it was the cracked ribs?

Natalie smiled softly as she stepped closer. “Of course I can. I’m actually ‘off-duty’ right now anyway. I just came in to pick up the slack after one of the other volunteers called in sick, but the bedpans are all clean for her shift.” She grinned just slightly in that ‘is she joking or serious?’ kind of way.

“Are.. my parents here?” Taylor asked,her big blue eyes a little misty.

Natalie frowned a little as she stepped closer and took Taylor’s hand. “I...”

A moment later a knock was heard on the door, and a head appeared, “Is she awake?” the woman asked.

Natalie glanced back at the newcomer with a smile and nodded. “She’s awake. One of the nurses just changed her IV drip so she might be a little groggy.”

“Thats fine. I just need to ask her some questions, I’m with Family Services.” the woman smiled.

Natalie nodded, turning back to Taylor. “I’m going to go talk to your doctor about getting you something to eat, okay?”

“Please.” Taylor’s tummy grumbled as he said that.

The teen giggled just a little as she lightly squeezed Taylor’s uninjured hand. She turned to approach the woman, whispering softly, “Thank you. Your timing is perfect,” as she passed, disappearing into the hallway.

“Ok I have some easy questions for you sweetie, Before we start my name is Tiffany. Ok let’s start with your full name?” Tiffany smiled at Taylor.

Taylor started to open his mouth to speak what he remembered his full name to be. Something very different came out. “Taylor Marie Evans.” He blinked at “her” own answer. He knew it was Marcus. He remembered how much he hated being called ‘Mark’ or ‘Markie’. He even endured the Taylor Swift jokes in favor of it.

“Thats such a pretty name, ok Taylor sweetie, how old are you? and can you tell me your date of birth?” Tiffany smiled brightly, the woman seemed like a very nice person, and didn’t mean Taylor any harm that he could tell.

“Nine. August Twenty Ninth.” he answered simply, still trying to figure out why he answered that first question the way he did. He added a moment later, “Oh, um, 2001.”

“Can you tell me what your mom and dad’s names are Princess?” Tiffany continued to smile as she wrote..

“Glenn and Deborah Evans,” he answered, trying to ignore the Princess remark, hoping it was just the medication making him hear things. This couldn’t be real, after all. He couldn’t really be a girl, could he? Did he dare hope?

“One last question sweetheart, Can you tell me your address and your home phone number? I know you’re young but do you know it?” Tiffany wrote down the parents names.

He had to think for a minute. Everything seemed foggy for some reason. “Um... Um... 783 um... It’s near the park where I was playing. 783 North Pine? It’s like two blocks from there. 555-0178.”

“Ok Princess, I’m done for now, you get some rest and something to eat, and I’ll try to get ahold of your parents ok?” Tiffany smiled as she stood up and walked out of the room, just in time to catch Natalie coming back with a tray with food on it.

“So?” Natalie asked, hopefully, but softly.

“Oh, I already know I won’t find them,” Tiffany answered. “This just confirms what I had suspected. Poor dear may end up becoming a ward of the state if I can’t find another living relative to take her in, but I’m going to look into it. Her parents may have had a will or something. Don’t mention this to her for now.”

Natalie nodded, but sighed as she propped her back against the wall, balancing the tray in one hand. “I was afraid of that. When she didn’t turn up on any of the missing persons watch lists I started to fear the worst. That’s why I’ve been checking on her constantly... I guess I wanted her to see a friendly face when she woke up, before she found out the news.”

“She’s going to be here a few days, and she won’t be able to leave with her arm and her ribs like that since she has nobody to care for her. The state will pick up the tab, and hey Natalie, be here as much as you can for her ok? She’s special.” Tiffany smiled as she left down the hallway, and disappeared.

Natalie inhaled a slow, deep breath, and while it didn’t have the calming effect she had hoped for, she forced a smile anyway as she entered the room. “I snuck you a hamburger from the staff stock.”

“Thank you!” Taylor said excitedly, the pain medication that he was on allowed him that luxury for now.

Natalie giggled a little as she approached, setting the tray on an adjustable tray table, and sliding it over Taylor’s bed, even as she carefully and slowly elevated it so the girl could eat.

“Natalie? Did Tiffany that woman call me a Princess or is it the medication?” Taylor looked at Natali with some confusion, her blue eyes shined, they kind of reminded Natalie of one of the new girls eyes from Camp, Bethany, but she couldn’t remember if that was her name or not.

The teenager grinned softly. “I didn’t hear it, but I wouldn’t really be surprised. You kind of look like a Princess - or maybe a Pumpkin. Daddy still calls me Princess sometimes. Comes with being the youngest and his daughter.”

“But Natalie.. I.. I..” Taylor couldn’t get it out for some reason. He just couldn’t tell her that he was a boy, and that everyone was just confused. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be a girl, but he got in enough trouble with his parents when they found out he liked playing with dolls.

Natalie frowned, confused.. “What’s wrong? I didn’t say something wrong did I?”

Taylor shook her head no, “But I’m not a Princess, I’m a P..” He couldn’t finish that sentence either and he suddenly started to cry because he wasn’t sure what was going on with him.

Natalie quickly wrapped her in a hug, careful of her arm. “Shh, it’s going to be okay. I promised Tiffany I’d stay with you as long as you needed.” She knew too well the kind of pain the poor kid was about to have to endure, and she wasn’t about to abandon her until she fell asleep that night, at the very least.

Taylor sobbed gently and as she was held by Natalie, “Thank “ hiccup, “you Natalie.”

“Like I said, I’m a senior scout. It’s what I do.” She smiled down at her. “If there’s anything you need, just ask, and I’ll see what I can do. Just think of me as a big sister who won’t pick on you,” she teased. “Here, let me help you with your food. You must be starving,” she added warmly, as, with one hand, she gingerly pried open the styrofoam container, the scent of a char-broiled to perfection hamburger filling the room.

Taylor smiled as Natalie helped him eat, between bites, “Am I really a girl?” he asked.

“You must’ve gotten hit harder than I thought,” Natalie answered softly. “Yeah. I mean, don’t take this the wrong way, but someone had to help the nurse set up your catheter You’re definitely a girl.” She smiled as gently as she could manage.

Taylor blushed brightly, unsure why he would suddenly be a girl, “Thank you for the food”, as she yawned.

“Hey, no problem. And I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. It was me and one of the nurses, for what it’s worth, and we’re all professional here. I just thought maybe it would help you to know, since you asked.” She gave Taylor’s shoulders a light squeeze. “Get some rest, okay? I need to call a friend of mine, but I’ll be right outside the door if you need anything at all.”

Taylor nodded and yawned again as she closed her eyes and was off to the blackness of sleep. Natalie smiled as she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and stepped outside, dialing. “Robin, hey, it’s Natalie. Do you have a minute to talk? Yeah, I’m okay. Just... thinking about Crystal again - well, how her death affected me I mean... It’s a long story. There’s this little girl in the kids’ ward here at Kingsley hospital, and...”

During Taylor’s dream the girl appeared again this time they both were much younger, and playing with barbies. “Hey, what’s your name?” Taylor asked inquisitively, without interrupting their game. When he woke he might not admit it, but he was having fun with the strange girl.

“My name’s Faith silly! Your name is Taylor, in case you forgot that too. “ Faith smiled at Taylor and giggled as they played with the barbies, “So My Barbie, and your Stacie are going to the park to meet their friends.” Faith continued to smile.

Taylor smiled as the two made pretend their Barbies were going to the park, “Faith, you were with me earlier?”

Faith’s smile broadened into a knowing grin. “I’ve always been with you Taylor, and I will always be with you, it’s time to wake up, Natalie has something for you to drink again. We’ll meet again soon, so try not to act too surprised?” She leaned forward and kissed Taylor’s forehead.

“I’m kinda thirsty again, Is there more water Natalie?” looking around for it.

“Sure is. I brought a whole pitcher because I figured you’d be pretty thirsty.” She turned around and retrieved a tall, pinkish rose-red plastic pitcher from a nearby table, carefully pouring up another glass. Like before she held the glass for Taylor after adjusting the straw again.

“I’m going to try and sneak a peek at the staff roster in a bit and see who your nurses will be tonight. They’re all nice here, but I figure I’ll give them a call so they know you’re awake before they get here, you know?”

Taylor drank the water slowly again then realized that she was past the slow phase and drank it down the rest rather quickly. She smiled up at Natalie, “Thank you again. You are like a big sister.” and slightly giggled, stopping for a second, did she just giggle? That was new.

Natalie grinned. “Oh hey, did you notice?” She pointed to the opposite side of the bed, where a few bouquets of flowers and stuffed animals had been placed on another table, and then turned around to get the pitcher, to pour up some more water. “Some of them are from us volunteers, a few from staff, and that doll there, some girl about your age dropped that off while you were sleeping.”

Taylor looked and in its original box was a Stacie doll, his blue eyes went wide at the sight, “Oh oh .. um.” was all he could get out.

Natalie giggled a little, completely misreading Taylor’s shock. “I know it’s not much, but ever since they brought you in we’ve all kind of been praying for you. It’s, um... Well, it’s kinda a miracle you’re even alive right now.” She trailed off for a moment then smiled, carefully setting a fresh glass of water well within the girl’s reach and range of motion.

Fresh tears ran down Taylor’s face, “You all are nice, thank you.”

“Aw, sweetie, don’t cry,” Natalie insisted, trying really hard not to cry, herself. She really couldn’t explain why she felt she had to look after this girl. Either because deep down she knew the truth about her parents, or that the girl reminded her of someone she’d lost, or that Taylor just genuinely had no one to stay with her right now, she felt it was her place to. She hugged her gently.

“When I do go home for the night, I’ll leave my cell number with you so you can call me, if you need to talk though, okay? I really don’t want you feeling like you’re stuck here alone, especially with your arm in a sling like that.”

Taylor nodded, unable to say anything more. She was all choked up, so she just turned and started to drink some more water.

“There are a few other kids your age in the ward too, but I’ll let one of the nurses play matchmaker.” She stage-whispered, “I don’t want to be to blame if it’s someone who bullied you at school or something.” She winked and smiled then eased herself down into the chair beside Taylor’s bed, occasionally glancing up as someone walked by the door.

Later that night one of the nurses came in to check on Taylor. She somewhat looked like Tiffany. “I didn’t get a chance to see what Faith did to this one, but if I guess it’s probably the same as what she did to Sarah.” the woman said into her cell phone as Taylor pretended to be asleep.

“I’m worried,” the woman on the other end answered. “Sarah wanted the changes. I don’t know if this one did or not? Faith hasn’t said anything about it.”

“Faith usually doesn’t answer to us. You have to remember, she does what she wants, but she wouldn’t force something on someone that didn’t want it - not like this anyway.”.

“Yes, that’s very true. And besides, one of her fellows would have no doubt reminded her of Eva’s transgressions if she had.” She trailed off with a light giggle.

“I’m going to do a check up on the girl real fast and come back. We have to place her somewhere, do you have any ideas?” the woman asked.

The woman on the other side of the phone paused for a second, “Actually, I have some good news on that front dear. You won’t believe this, but Bethany is standing right here beside me.”

“Bethany?” the nurse giggled, a little surprised. “What is she doing there?”

“Playing messenger,” the other voice teased. “I’m kidding!” she laughed, sounding like she was talking to someone beside her more than the nurse on the phone. She added a moment later, “Bethany says the girl has a living relative, a sister. I’m going to pose as the girls’ parents’ lawyer. They did leave them a sizable estate so there’s little more for me to do than to deliver the news personally at least. We’re going to have to create a place for them to live, and send the girl to Sunshine Academy here in Alpine Springs.”

“That’s a fantastic idea. You know how much Faith and the others love the old town. She’d be in good hands there.”

“Yes, a lot of history in Alpine Springs: Micia, you take care of that girl, and find out anything else you can then report back to the coven ok? Tomorrow go back as the social worker and tell her all about the home and her sister. I’ll talk to you later.” the phone went dead.

Micia smiled down at the girl and leaned close to kiss her forehead, still believing she was asleep. “You’re safe, little one,” she whispered in a motherly tone, and quietly turned to leave.

Taylor finally went back to sleep and had a peaceful night’s rest. The next morning, she woke to a nurse checking on her. “Oh good morning sweetie, The doctor will be in shortly to see if you can get out of bed or not, and the social worker will be here this afternoon to talk to you again ok?”

She nodded quietly, deciding not to ask about the woman who came into her room last night. It was probably just a dream anyway, right? That’s what she kept telling herself anyway.

Moments later a doctor arrived in Taylor’s room, “Ok missy, let’s see if you can sit up for me today ok?” The doctor gave Taylor a warm smile.

Taylor nodded and slowly sat up. Her ribs didn’t hurt nearly as bad today as they did yesterday, but her broken arm still stung. “Oooouch my arm!” she cried out.

The doctor frowned. “Okay, lie still sweetheart. I’m going to inject something into your IV that will help with the pain.” She deftly reached for a small vial of medicine in her pocket, and within a few seconds, a fresh dose of medicine rushed through Taylor’s veins. “You’ll feel a little tingle, and then the pain should get a lot better. How are you feeling otherwise?”

“My ribs don’t hurt as bad, just my arm I guess. Can I get up and go play soon?” Taylor looked optimistic. She really wanted to get out of that bed already.

“We’re going to take you down to have some more x-rays done after you’ve had breakfast, both of your ribs and your arm, to see how the bones are mending. I’ll be able to give you a better answer then, but I will say that you’ll have to take it easy either way.” She paused and smiled. “But given the time frame, it shouldn’t be much longer before you can at least get out of bed.”

“Is Natalie here? I want her to be with me if that’s ok? She makes me feel safe.” Taylor looked at the doctor with her big bright blue eyes wide. She had only been a girl - consciously - for a couple of days, but she had already mastered the puppy pout.

“She’s not here yet, but I believe she’s on the roster for this morning, now that you mention it. She’ll probably stop by as soon as she gets here.” She trailed off, but smiled thoughtfully. “She’s going to make a fantastic pediatrician someday.”

Taylor nodded in agreement as the doctor smiled turning around to leave Taylor alone for a bit till a nurse came in with her breakfast.

“Scrambled eggs, buttered toast, milk, apple slices, aaaand...” the nurse paused for dramatic effect and grinned. “Chocolate pudding for dessert. It can’t ALL be good for you.” She winked.

Taylor giggled. ‘Wait a second,’ she thought, ‘Did I just giggle? well whatever!’ and smiled, “Thank you! I’m so hungry right now I could eat anything.”

“I’ll bet. You were out for quite awhile there. Tell you what. Just this once, if you’re still hungry afterwards, I’ll sneak you seconds, okay?” She grinned, lifting the lid on the tray of food and arranging the rolling bedside tray as Natalie had done the night before.

Taylor finished her breakfast, and waited for either Natalie or the doctor to show up. The food for hospital food wasn’t all that bad, and with her belly full, she turned her thoughts some more to all this girl business, why everyone kept referring to her as ‘her’, or ‘princess’, or even ‘missy’. She even questioned what Natalie said about the catheter.

She was incredibly smart, and knew pain medications could cause strange hallucinations. She also knew not to mess with the catheter to try and find out, either. She’d just have to bide her time and keep playing the dumb kid awhile longer. At least the attention was a nice change of pace.

“Morning, Pumpkin,” Natalie bubbled as she stepped through the door with a plain bag behind her back, forcing Taylor to add that one to his growing list of girlie pet names since waking up in the hospital.

“Hi Natalie! Will you come with me to X-ray when the doctor comes back?” Taylor asked with a big, bright smile..

“Sure! I’m not technically ‘on duty’ for another hour and a half. I came in early to see how you’re doing, and bring you some goodies.” She winked. “Mostly books. Just um, don’t tell anyone I still read Harry Potter, hey?” she teased, setting the bag on the small table with the other gifts.

“Your secret’s safe Natalie. I like the books too; I read the first two books in class.” Taylor smiled.

The older girl giggled a little. “I’m sure my friends would understand. I mean, I know the girl who modeled for Aria Blade, and she’s a huge comics fan, but I’m not sure about the rest of school.”

“Oh wow I like Aria Blade! She’s so kick butt! I wish I was more like her.” Taylor bubbled.

“Oh, yeah? I’d ask her to stop by if she hadn’t just gotten out of the hospital not too long ago herself. I’ll hit her up for an autographed poster though. She loves to give those things away.”

“Wow really? That is just awesome Natalie; thank you so much! I wish I really had a big sister like you.” Taylor had tears in his eyes.

Natalie smiled as she hugged Taylor. “Aw, you’re welcome. Whatever happens, you can always think of me as your big sister.”

Taylor uses his good arm and hugs Natalie back, “If you’re spending so much time with me Big Sis, what about the other girls and boys that are in need?”

“Well, it’s like I said, I came in early.” She smiled. “Besides, I have my reasons.” She trailed off. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words, and after all it wasn’t her place. Better to let social services handle all that. “Trust me, you’ll meet some of the other kids around here pretty soon.”

“Oh, ok, so I guess when the doctor gets here I go to X-ray and then she will see if I can go play.” Taylor smiled some.

Natalie smiled. “That soon, eh? I guess they were just waiting to let your body heal naturally before doing another x-ray. It makes sense though. Sometimes they actually induce coma for the same reason - so the body can heal. Oh you’re going to like the other kids here - I just know it.”

At that moment the doctor chose to knock on the door and peeked her head in, “Oh hello Natalie, Taylor, mind if I come in?” She smiled.

“Morning Doctor Brahms,” Natalie answered cheerfully. “I’ll get out of your way if you need.”

“No It’s ok Natalie, Taylor asked if it was alright if you went down to the X-Ray room with her, and I told her that was fine.” Doctor Brahms smiled, “So Taylor, ready to stand up so we can get you into the wheelchair?”

“Ok Doctor.” Taylor sat up easily with the pain medication still working and swung her legs over the side then stood. Doctor Brahms got the wheelchair that was off to the side of the room ready and smiled at Taylor.

“Wow,” Natalie remarked softly. “Usually it takes awhile to get your strength back, but you just popped right up.” She giggled a little. “Trust me - that’s a good thing,” she added, glancing over at Doctor Brahms. “I’ve got her IV pole, ma’am,”deftly sliding the tall stainless steel pole away from the bed before its wheels could get caught up on the furniture.

“Thanks Natalie. You’re so helpful around here hon; this wing of the hospital would be so lost without you.” Doctor Brahms smiled as they led Taylor down to X-Rays. “I think if these turn out how I suspect we can remove Taylors IV and if she has any more pain we can relieve it the old fashioned way.”

“A big, scary needle?” Natalie said with all seriousness, paused, and grinned down at Taylor. “Just kidding.”

Taylor gave Natalie a mean look, “That’s not nice!” and then she giggled sticking her tongue out.

“Got you to smile though,” Natalie teased as she pressed the elevator button.

“I smile when I know you’re going to be around. You’re fun to hang out with Natalie” Taylor smiled brightly

“You should consider joining the Girl Scouts if you’re not already a member, you know? It’s a great way to make friends.”

“But you have to be a girl to be part of the girl scouts don’t you?” she responded without thinking.

Natalie glanced at Doctor Brahms briefly. The Doctor nodded, as if she were thinking the same thing. “Taylor, are you having any problems with dizziness, seeing things, headaches, anything like that?” the doctor asked gently.

“No, I’m ok.” Taylor looked at them both confused.

“Well, in addition to the X-Rays, I’m going to go ahead and have a CAT scan done as well, just to make sure there’s not anything going on in there that we don’t know about.”

Taylor giggled softly at the mention of a CAT Scan, but looked at the two still confused, “Am I ok? I didn’t mean to do something bad.”

Natalie smiled as she knelt beside her, squeezing her hand. “That’s what the CAT scan’s going to tell us. It’s basically like an x-ray for your brain. It doesn’t hurt or anything. It’s just going to tell us if there’s been any new damage that your doctor didn’t see before.”

“Ok if Natalie says it won’t hurt I trust her.” Taylor smiled brightly.

“Not at all,” Doctor Brahms answered. “We’re just a little concerned is all. I’m also considering asking a gender therapist colleague of mine to come talk to you - but I trust her completely, so you’d be in good hands.”

Taylor looked confused again. She was pretty sure that she remembered being a boy before, and her new big sister was confused as to if she was a boy or a girl, but she decided the most logical course of action was to accept it for now and figure it out later.

“We’ll get you taken care of before you’re discharged, sweetie.” She stated warmly, squeezing Taylor’s hand as she stood again. She tried hard to hide her concern, but she knew about Allison’s sister Kelly, and that being female-to-male - as she assumed Taylor might be - would arguably be as hard as male-to-female had been for her friend’s sister.

“Before we go to the other doctor can I go potty?” Taylor looked at them both.

“Sure. We always schedule these things with a little bit of leeway in case of emergencies - bathroom, stuck elevators, IV popping out unexpectedly,” Doctor Brahms answered cheerfully. “Natalie, would you be a dear and wheel her to the ladies’ room while I make a quick phone call?”

“Sure thing Doc - I mean, Doctor Brahms,” Natalie answered with a smile as the elevator doors finally opened, letting them out. The doctor turned down the hallway, and Natalie carefully pushed Taylor the opposite direction, backing up into one of the public restrooms near the nurse’s station.

“I’ll give you some privacy, if you think you’re strong enough to walk on your own? Just be careful of your IV though.”

“Ok, Thank you Natalie, I’ll yell if I need you ok?” Taylor smiled as she went into the bathroom alone. Looking around, it wasn’t like the boys restroom. There were no wall urinals, so she went into one of the booths to use the toilet. “EEEEEEEK!” she screeched loudly, followed by a loud and clear to everyone outside the bathroom, “I AM a girl!”

Natalie carefully pushed the door just enough to slip inside. “Taylor? It’s Natalie. Is everything alright in there?”

“Oh Sorry Natalie, Um.” trying to think of a lie so she can stay being a girl, he had always wanted to be a girl, “When I got beat up in the park, I was wishing I was a boy so I could fight back and um” she started to cry.

Natalie frowned as she leaned against the sink. “It’s okay, Taylor. It’s just us girls here. Anything you say to me won’t leave this room.”

“I’m not really this dumb kid I’ve been letting you guys think. The reason I was attacked is because I’m really smart..” Taylor cried harder. That part was actually true. The last thing she remembered was a group of older kids beating her six ways from Sunday.

“Ohhh,” Natalie answered softly. “You know my best friend is like, an orange belt or something in Kenpo, and she’s definitely all girl.” She giggled a little. “But I think I get it now. I mean, you took a pretty bad hit. That’d mess anybody up. I’m sorry Taylor. And um, I hope we didn’t insult you by treating you like a kid?”

“No, I kind of liked the positive attention actually. But I’m sorry - I didn’t mean to make you both upset at me.” Taylor’s voice had begun to calm again..

“Oh sweetie, we were never upset. Just really worried about you. I’ll be honest... I was considering talking to that Tiffany lady to make sure you hadn’t been abused or something.” She frowned sheepishly.

“I just wanted what’s best for you. I promised I wouldn’t let anything you said leave this room, but can I tell Doctor Brahms that I think you’re okay now? She might still want you to speak to that therapist though, but if she trusts them, I would too.”

“I trust you Natalie, if you think its ok to talk to the Doctor, it’s ok to me too.” Taylor stood, getting out of the stall to get back on her wheelchair.

Natalie smiled as she hugged her from behind, carefully wheeling the distraught girl out after giving her a moment to compose herself. She paused at the nurse’s station. “Everything’s okay. She was having a minor flashback - possibly PTSD - I’ll mention it to Doctor Brahms personally.”

The nurse behind the desk smiled sadly as she nodded. “Let me know if she needs anything. I know if it was my little girl I’d be totally lost.”

“Will do,” Natalie answered with a sympathetic smile herself. “I’ve got to get her down to X-Ray for now.”

After Natalie explained to Doctor Brahms, everyone agreed to not to bring in the gender specialist for now, but to leave it as an option just in case. After getting both the X-rays on her arm and ribs and a CAT Scan done just in case, they wheeled Taylor back to her room for lunch and the meeting with Tiffany the Social Worker.

Taylor was in the middle of her lunch and Natalie was off checking up on the other children when a knock on the door startled Taylor, “Hey sweetie, mind if I come in?” Tiffany smiled at Taylor.

“Sure, I don’t have any different cooties then you.” Taylor giggled.

Tiffany laughed as she entered the room and sat down on the chair beside her bed. “I have some good news and some bad news, but lets wait for Natalie to come so she can be here for you ok?”

“Ok, Natalie should be back shortly, She said she had to go see what the other kids were doing.” Taylor smiled, “I get to go play today!” Taylor sounded really excited. For all her intelligence, and for all that had landed her in the hospital in the first place, she missed socializing, even if it meant ‘dumbing it down’ to be accepted.

“Thats great sweetie.” Tiffany smiled, as Natalie knocked on the door and peeked her head in, “Mind if I come in?”

“Sure, Taylor is going to need someone. I have some good and bad news to share with her.” Tiffany frowned a bit.

Natalie moved over to Taylor and put an arm around her, “Ok I think we can handle both huh?” She smiled at Taylor, and all Taylor could do was nod her head.

“Ok I’ll start with the first bit of news. Your parents are both gone sweetie, we went to their house, and well, never mind we can talk about that later, but we were able to track down your sister at Yale.” Tiffany paused a moment to let that last part sink in.

“M-my sister?” Taylor asked, a little confused. She remembered having a brother, but...

“She’s happy that you’re ok, and wishes she could be here to talk care of you, but she promised to come visit you very soon.” Tiffany paused for a moment to look at the two girls. “The last bit of news, your sister is in her first year at Yale, and can’t afford to take care of you full-time, so we’ve arranged for you to attend the Sunshine Academy - it’s a private school over in Alpine Springs where you can live on-campus, but your sister will be able to visit you often.”

Natalie frowned, instinctively hugging Taylor closer. “So... what was the good news again?”

“Well, at least this way she’s not going to be thrust into foster care. We were able to find one other relative, a distant cousin living in Alpine Springs, but we didn’t need to contact her, after locating Michelle.”

“I have several really good friends out that way that I try to get out and visit, so I can stop by and see her on weekends sometimes,” Natalie added, glancing down at Taylor with a smile.

“It’s a nice place, Taylor; I’m sure you will love it there.” Tiffany smiled.

Taylor shook her head slowly. “B-but my parents...” was as far as she could get before she started to cry, burying her face in Natalie’s shoulder. Natalie held her close and let her cry, not really sure what else she could do or say at this point.

Taylor cried herself to sleep holding onto Natalie, too upset to want to play with the other kids, her face was stained with tears as Natalie laid her down on the bed. “Sleep well I’ll come check on you later.”

Natalie let Taylor sleep a bit before coming back in to check on her, sitting down next to the bed and smiled at the youngster. Taylor opened her eyes slowly, “Oh you’re awake, Pumpkin, want to go play before dinner?”

“Ok I guess.” Taylor was still a bit upset with what had happened earlier, but was at least glad she still had a sister who was willing to come see her whenever she could.

Later that afternoon, Natalie walked into the room, not realizing Taylor had a visitor. "Hey kiddo. I got that poster I promised you. Sorry it took so long but I had to drive over to Alpine Springs to get Robin ... to..." she paused, offering a sheepish smile.

Sitting by Taylor’s bed was a girl who couldn’t be much older than herself, with medium length blonde hair, and wearing a tight tanktop exposing a belly button ring to complement several earrings. "Sorry, I didn't realize you had a visitor. I'll come back later,” Natalie backpedaled.

"Oh hello; you must be Natalie. Taylor has told me so much about you! You're more than welcome to stay if you want." The girl smiled warmly.

Natalie blushed faintly. "Yeah, she's kind of special to a lot of us around here." She approached, offering her hand. "You must be her sister? Her social worker mentioned managing to track you down at Yale. It's great to finally meet you."

"I'm Michelle, When Tiffany called me I thought it was to tell me mom, dad and Taylor were all gone, but I am so glad she's safe and has people looking out for her. Before you came in I was talking with her about taking some money out of both our inheritance and buying a duplex in Alpine springs so on the weekends I can come get her, and we can spend time together."

Natalie nodded. "I wish I could help, but I'm just a junior in high school starting this fall. That sounds like a great idea though. And she can still attend the private school, and get a really good education.”

"Yeah, Tiffany and I were discussing the private school. I will also get to come hang out with her on holidays, so it kinda works out. She will stay on campus in the girls dorms during the week and with me on weekends."

"I'm just so relieved to know she's not getting stuck in foster care or anything."

"I would never let that happen to my lil sister. I'm going to be paying half her tuition to Sunshine, and the state will pick up the other half, and I'm moving onto campus this weekend to save on rent. One of my friends is leaving to Edinburgh and has a roommate, who will be needing a new one." Michelle giggled softly. “I’m not sure who it is, but Steph says it’s a mutual friend, so...”

“Oh, cool! I’m not sure if I can get into Yale, but I’ve a friend up in New Haven that I’ll probably be doing that with. Though we might just grab a couple more friends and start our own Sorority house at this rate,” she added with a giggle herself.

“If you try hard enough Natalie, anything is possible” Michelle smiled brightly. “Same goes for you Pumpkin,” looking over at Taylor. “I got a lot of missed time to make up to you.”

Natalie smiled warmly. “Speaking of which, I should really give you two some private time. I just stopped by to drop this off.” She held out the rolled-up poster-sized print with a grin. “I managed to get all the girls to sign it for you.”

Taylor smiled and took the poster. “Thank you Natalie!”

Michelle smiled, “Hey Natalie, next weekend, would you mind if I stopped over here and picked you up so we can take Taylor shopping for more clothes?”

Natalie blinked a few times. “You’re serious? I’d love to. I saw THE cutest belt the other day, and thought of her.”

Michelle giggled, “She doesn’t have a lot and with the house destroyed I’m sure we won’t be able to salvage much from it anyway, I’m going to go pick up her uniforms in a few hours for school, I heard they are pretty relaxed on what the kids can and cannot wear.”

“Yeah, the high school used to be a lot more strict, but even they’ve really relaxed it these last few years, I’ve heard, and the elementary-grades are even more so. Lemme just find something to write down my address. Taylor already has my cell phone number,” she added, glancing around. “Oh, here it is.” She announced, picking up a small notepad and pen laying next to the hospital phone. She quickly jotted down her street address, tearing the page off and handing it to Michelle.

“If I’m not there, I’m probably here, but I’m pretty sure I’m not on the roster for next weekend so I’ll probably be there.”

“Sure thing, Hey Natalie, thanks for watching out for Taylor, she needs all the support she can get, since I won't be around all the time.” Michelle hugged Taylor and smiled at Natalie.

“No problem. At first I didn’t think she had any family at all, so I started checking on her daily, talking to her while she was unconscious and stuff. I … lost a really good friend a couple of years ago. She was practically my sister, so I know how much loss hurts, and I wanted her to see a friendly face when she woke up. But there’s no replacement for the real thing.”

She grinned, stepped closer, and gave them both a hug. “You two take care, and stay in touch. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.” She smiled and turned to step out again.

“So Taylor, I got a lot of making up to do as a big sister huh? I’m so glad you’re safe sweetie, Once I’m done with college you and I can live together if you want, and tomorrow I’m going to go looking for that condo if you want me to.” Michelle smiled.

“Sure Michelle that way maybe we can have a place when I get out of here?” Taylor smiled as she snuggled into her sister. “I know these things don’t normally go that fast, but I can hope,” she added with a giggle.

“Your such a smart kid Taylor, maybe as smart as your big sis,” Michelle smiled. “If you are then you’re going to show up all your friends at your new school, just try to make some ok?” Michelle ruffled Taylors pretty blonde hair.

“Natalie’s trying to talk me into joining the Girl Scouts. I probably will just so I’ll have someone to talk to, but she says the senior scouts in Alpine Springs are really nice.”

“Good. I think its a good idea; just let me know if you need any money to join ok sweetie? I’ll make sure to give it to Tiffany for you.” Michelle was so happy her sister was so outgoing, but there was this thing nagging at the back of her head; wasn't Taylor supposed to be her little brother?

Taylor nodded quickly. “I’ll ask Natalie about it next time she comes in.”

“You know I got mom’s strawberry hair, you ended up with such a lovely light blonde, and its so cute curly like that.” Michelle giggled as she ruffled it again.

Taylor tilted her head slightly. Wasn’t her hair dark brown like their fathers? She seemed to be critically examining it herself now. “Wow,” she finally whispered. “Um, I mean...” She giggled. “I guess I forgot how bright it was.”

“I hadn’t seen you except for christmas since you were three, I missed you a lot munchkin. I’m going to go get us something to eat ok?” Michelle smiled.

Taylor smiled as she leaned over to kiss her sister’s cheek. “I missed you so much. I always wished I could be just like you,” she blurted, blushed, and smiled. “Food sounds great. I’m so hungry,” she quickly tried to change the subject.

Michelle winked at Taylor and stood up, “If you apply yourself munchkin, you can do whatever you want. Hows a big mac sound?”

“Oh! That sounds so good! Um, can I get a vanilla milkshake too?”

“Sure sweetie, I’ll sneak them in for us ok?” Michelle started to leave the room.

“Yay!” Taylor giggled happily, trying not to dwell too much on losing her parents. At least she still had Michelle.

Shortly after Michelle left Natalie came back. “Hey Pumpkin, I saw your sister leave. Everything ok?” Natalie was concerned but smiled.

“Oh, hi Natalie!” Taylor smiled brightly. “Yeah everything’s great. She’s just going to get us some lunch. It’s completely healthy, honest.” She nodded several times, but started to giggle. “Okay, it’s a big mac and a vanilla shake, but I haven’t had real junk food in like … however long I’ve been in here.”

“Ooh I won’t tell anyone, I promise. “ Natalie giggled, “Tiffany will be here around four, so let your sister know when she gets back if I’m not here ok?”

“Oh, okay. Um, hey Natalie? While you’re here I’ve got a question.” She trailed off, adding a moment later, “About girl scouts.”

“Oh sure, I can answer any questions you have Pumpkin. Just ask.” Natalie smiled, loving her nickname for Taylor, hoping she didn’t mind it either.

Taylor fidgeted with the hem of her hospital blanket for a moment or two. She dreamed of a day like this growing up a boy, and now that it was finally here... She bit her lip. “Do you really think I could get in? I talked to my sister about it, and she thinks it’s a great idea.”

“Yes you can sweetie. Is that all you wanted to ask me about Scouts?” Natalie smiled.

“Yeah. Michelle says to just let her know about any fees to join, and she’ll have Tiffany take care of it. I just … don’t really know what I’m s’posed to do - to join I mean. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“I’ll go with you to meet the local scout troop leader once you get settled in in Alpine Springs if you want.. She’s not only my friends’ cheer coach, but the sister-in-law of the Girl Scout summer camp director. Oh, and she’s super-nice. You’ll really like her. As for cost it’s not bad - $12 annually, plus uniform, books and other little things. I can loan you my old scout manual if you need it.”

Michelle appeared in the doorway a moment later with a bag of McDonalds food and smiled at Natalie and Taylor, “Or I can just get her everything she needs, I really don’t mind, I think it’s a great thing for her. It’s something I missed out on, and while I was waiting for our food I was looking at the lifetime scout, since I am now officially a female.” She giggled a bit.

Natalie giggled as well. “That’s what I’m thinking about doing too. I’m already a counselor in training, and I’m definitely going to go back as an adult volunteer for camps after I graduate, hopefully as a nursing assistant while I’m in med school.” She grinned.

“Oh a fellow med student. “ Michelle giggled, “I’m studying Bio Med Engineering.”

“Oh, cool!” Natalie exclaimed. “I want to get into either pediatric medicine or nursing. That’s why I volunteer in the children’s wing here so much.”

“I think you would make a very fine pediatrician Natalie. There aren’t very many good doctors who are good with kids these days. But you should also take some gender studies too. It will help.” Michelle smiled.

Natalie nodded. “One of my friends is related to a trans-person. I honestly had no idea until she kind of let it slip one day.”

“You would be surprised how many of us are at Yale, it’s like we have our own sisterhood there.” Michelle giggled, “Some who pass and some who don’t but you know it makes no difference because it’s what’s mind and heart that count.”

“I totally agree. I mean, I have a gay friend at school, but he’s like, the nicest, sweetest guy I’ve ever known. I tell him everything. I know it’s totally not the same, but it’s the same principle I think, as far as what’s beneath the surface, y’know?.”

Michelle pulled out three big macs handing one to Taylor and one to Natalie, “I had this idea you would be here, so I picked up an extra just for you.” then pulled out a milkshake for Taylor.

“Oh wow. Thanks Michelle. I’ve been running around the hospital all day trying to help out, and I haven’t had a chance to stop and eat lunch yet. I owe you one.” She smiled happily as Taylor sat up and happily tore into her hamburger.

“Junk food!” she bubbled. “That hospital burger the other night was good, don’t get me wrong, but a Big Mac’s a Big Mac!”

Michelle giggled at that and handed out the fries as well, handing Natalie a diet coke, “I wasn’t sure if you drank regular or diet so I got you a diet.”

“Oh, either. I actually like the taste of diet, but either’s fine with me,” she answered warmly. “Oh, I looked at Taylor’s x-rays with Doctor Brahms again this morning. Turns out what we both thought was a hairline fracture on the growth plate in her arm was, um...” she giggled. “It’s kind of embarrassing. There’s some kind of flaw in the machine that was just caught when an identical ‘fracture’ appeared in another patient’s x-ray. After the technician repaired it, it was gone, so while her arm is still broken, it’s not nearly as bad as they thought it was.”

“Oh that's good news huh Taylor?” Michelle smiled, “So when does she get released? Tomorrow I'm going out to look at condos.” Michelle smiled.

“Doctor Brahms talked like it might be as early as Monday. She’s going to confer with another doctor from New Haven, but if she’s able to get away sooner, then it could even be tomorrow.”

“Hear that sweet pea? you and I might be able to go out and look around for a place tomorrow, and then we can go check out Mom and Dads old place and see if there is anything you want still there before we sell it ok?”

“Sounds great!” Taylor said a little too excitedly for someone who just lost her parents. “Um, I mean, yeah,” she answered a little more subdued, but still smiled.

Michelle noted the difference and frowned a little, “Mom and dad I take it, were still taking out my problem on you sweet pea?”

Taylor frowned, looking at Natalie. “Don’t go and get the wrong idea here... Our parents weren’t abusive. I mean … not really. They never hit me or anything, but they...” she trailed off and frowned again, looking at Michelle. “My sister had to be raised by our aunt because our parents were kinda mean about her condition.” She remembered it differently, but those old memories, as pertained to Michelle at least, seemed to be changing, and for the better.

Natalie’s turn to frown, “How horrible, Parents should never do that to their children. Taylor it wasn’t your fault your sister wanted to be a girl, but they probably treated it like it was huh?”

Taylor nodded sadly. “I only ever got to spend any time with her at the holidays. They wouldn’t even let me visit her during the year.”

Natalie frowned still, “That sucks you two, well I am really glad you both found each other again, and will atleast be able to see each other whenever you can.” her frown turned into a smile.

At that very moment a knock on the door could be heard, and Tiffany the social worker popped her head in, “You ladies busy? If you are I can come back at Four. I figured since I was here, I'd check to see if everyone else was.”

“Tiffany!” Taylor cheered warmly. Natalie smiled as she waved the woman over.

“Nah, we were just talking about Taylor and Michelle’s family situation over lunch. Come on in.”

“Well I have good news, and good news this time, I talked it over with my boss, and Michelle just needs to sign some papers, and she will be Taylor’s legal guardian. The other good news is, the state agreed to help with over half the tuition for Taylor to go to the Sunshine, and is giving Taylor a large budget to buy school supplies and clothing. One last piece of good news, but that can wait till Michelle signs the papers.”

Taylor slowly put down her milkshake, staring blankly back at Tiffany. Michelle smiled brightly. “Wow, that’s amazing news. How on earth did you get the guardianship pushed through so fast?”

Tiffany smiled sweetly. “I don't like to blow my own horn, but I am one of the best social workers there is, and I have a few friends in high places.” She put an emphasis on high places.

“I can’t thank you enough. It’s going to be hard going back to the old house again, but at least some good is going to come from all this,” Michelle admitted.

Tiffany pulled a clipboard and a pen with some papers on it out of her brief case, “You can sign these anytime you’re ready, and I will also need Taylor to fill out a report on how she was treated at home. It won't take long, and it can be a short paragraph sweetie. I don’t want to cause you any more pain.”

Taylor frowned a bit. “Um... Anything I write isn’t going to affect my staying with Michelle right? Because I wasn’t really allowed to even see her except like once a year anyway.”

“No sweetie, the department just wants to know what kind of life you had before now, so we can make arrangements for you as you need them.” Tiffany smiled.

“Oh, okay,” she answered simply. Michelle smiled.

“I can sign those papers right now, if you don’t mind waiting a minute for me to read over everything.”

“Thats fine Michelle; take your time. It’s pretty straightforward. It pretty much states you will become Taylor’s legal guardian till she's eighteen unless she decides to go to college, just like any other parent would be responsible for their child.”

Michelle nodded and, after glancing over everything quite briefly, signed and initialed where indicated, handing the clipboard back. “Everything looks good. By the way, we’re going to try and find a nice condo in Alpine Springs so we can spend our weekends together. If you happen to know a trustworthy realtor that would help a lot.”

“Oh I might know one. She’s a nice lady too. You both will like her I’m sure.” Tiffany grinned innocently Soon it would be Lily’s turn at the deception. They hadn’t met Lily-Rose yet, and deception was her specialty to boot. She’d sell them as much with her silver tongue as anything.

“Great,” Michelle answered. “I don’t need much in the way of space myself, but it’s gotta be something Taylor absolutely loves. God knows she’s been through enough already.” She smiled, wrapping an arm around her sister.

“Here let me get you her card, you two can call her tomorrow or anytime you want to and talk with her.” Tiffany smiled and pulled out a business card, taking the signed papers off the clipboard and handing it over to Taylor with a lined sheet of paper on it, “Whenever you're ready to write that sweetie.”

Taylor accepted the clipboard, wasting little time in answering the question. She spared no detail in mentioning how her parents treated her - good and bad. She had no memories of this strange new life as a girl, so had to answer as best she could about life as a boy, leaving out details that made no sense.

Tiffany and Michelle were talking about Alpine Springs and the Sunshine school, “She will have a lot of other girls her age around, yes.” Tiffany commented, “No it’s separated, the girls have their own dorm, and go to their own classes, and boys have a dorm and the same for them.” she finished.

“Really? That’s kind of a relief. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to sound like I’m imposing gender stereotypes, but after what she’s been through, I feel like that would be a better environment for her overall right now.”

“We tend to agree with that statement at the department, which is why I choose specifically the Sunshine Academy. It used to be a state run school and children’s home, but then it was turned into a k-12 private school for both girls and boys, but in traditions of what it used to be they keep girls and boys separated, but during the weekends and other activities they can mingle.”

“I guess I should be thankful I didn’t get sent to one of these schools,” Michelle giggled under her breath. “But I don’t think Taylor’s going to have the same problems I would have.”

“Sunshine certainly isn’t for everyone. Also if you can make it on Monday morning, the Head Mistress of the school would like to meet you.” Tiffany smiled.

“Monday... I have a lab that afternoon that I can reschedule if I need to, so that’s not going to be a problem at all.” She paused to grin. “My instructor’s great about these things. Will you be attending as well? And will Taylor need to be there? Though that might be a good idea anyway if she’s out of the hospital by then.”

“Yes you both and I will be there, She wants to meet Taylor and have her take some aptitude tests, and she wants to meet a guardian so she can discuss the school and what is expected, and I will be there because the state is involved temporarily.” Tiffany smiled.

“Sounds good,” Michelle answered, casually glancing over at Taylor, who had by now written a page and a half. She giggled politely to herself as the girl finished, offering the clipboard.

“Sorry. I um... I guess I had a lot to say about our parents. I didn’t want to leave anything out.”

Tiffany smiled, “That’s fine sweetie, we wanted to know everything.” Tiffany took the clipboard read a little of it and then put it away. “You have beautiful handwriting.”

Taylor blushed brightly. “Oh, um, thank you. I put a lot of effort into it.” That part at least wasn’t a lie. The only thing she had been more proud of as a boy than her beautiful hair was her remarkable handwriting, especially for her age.

Tiffany looked over at Michelle, “You have a smart lil sister, does it run in the family?” she said teasingly.

Michelle laughed softly. “I don’t know about our parents, but Taylor and I both classify as ‘genius’ status, according to aptitude tests. Technically I could probably have my Doctorate right now, but I guess I wanted a little of the ‘college experience’ first.” She grinned.

“Well atleast Taylor won’t be lacking for help. On monday, she will take a series of tests to see what classes to place her in. Oh but don’t worry - there are many gifted students at Sunshine so she won’t be placed with a bunch of girls five or six years older or anything.”

Tiffany smiled reassuringly, adding, “Oh, one more thing.” Tiffany pulled out a plastic card and handed it to Michelle. “This is for Taylor; spend it on her school supplies and clothes for her, and don’t feel guilty if you buy yourself a thing or two on it as well.” Tiffany winked as she turned around and left the room.

Michelle shook her head slowly as she watched the woman leave. “Well I don’t know about THAT, but I’ll spoil my baby sister rotten,” she mused with a grin.

Natalie smiled, “Looks like everything's working out the best for you two, I’m going to go see if the specialist was able to make it in today. I’ll be right back.” She turned and left the room as well.

Taylor waited for Natalie to leave before motioning for Michelle to come closer. “I can’t take it anymore. There’s something I gotta ask you, but I need you to promise you won’t tell anyone - not Natalie or my doctors or Tiffany,” she asked with a solemn seriousness belying her age.

Michelle smiled, “As long as its nothing bad like asking me to keep a secret if mom or dad ever hit you or anything, but sure ask me anything you want Sweet Pea.”

“No, it’s nothing like that. it’s just … Things aren’t the way I remember them before I woke up here. Little things like my hair color, and .. um... big things, like … that I remember being a boy.” She frowned darkly.

“Taylor, I hadn't seen you really since you were three, other then at special holidays and mom and dad made sure we didn’t spend that much time together, But you’re right, I could have sworn you had brown hair, and you were a boy. But if you’re happy being a girl, I will support it fully because I want you to be happy.” Michelle smiled.

Taylor smiled brightly as she wrapped her uninjured arm around Michelle. “You have no idea. I am so unbelievably happy. I wanted to be like you so much, but the one time I brought it up Mom insisted that I was a boy because I had the wrong parts to be a girl. This is what I always wanted. It just felt weird waking up, remembering things differently now than what they were before. I thought I was going crazy.” She giggled.

“But I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. You’re the only one who even kind of remembers, everyone else sees me as a girl, and I like being a girl - I love it, so...” She giggled again. “I guess I just needed to know I’m not totally crazy.”

Michelle smiled and gently ruffled some of Taylor’s golden locks, “So if you can leave tomorrow, what do you want to do first: go to the old house and get some things, or go looking for a new home?”

“Definitely looking for a new house. I don’t want to have to go back in there more than we have to. Part of me wants to just forget it entirely, but I’m dying to know if my room’s the way I remember it too.”

“Once we get a place, I’ll have a moving company come in and take what we want to our new house, and the rest to storage, then we can talk to our real estate agent and see about selling the house.” Michelle smiled.

“That sounds great. So how often can you come ‘home’ again - just on weekends?”

“Well I can look at the travel time to New Haven from Alpine Springs and I might be able to do this permanently, but as it stands Sweet Pea, weekends for now, and holidays.” Michelle frowned.

Taylor giggled a little. “It’s okay. It’s not like I’m staying home alone or anything. I’m kind of excited to see what my uniforms will look like though, but wearing a skirt might be hard to get used to. Or wearing one in public anyway.” She trailed off, blushing slightly then giggled.

“Skirts are fun to wear. You’ll enjoy them immensely. I love them, and dresses, but I wear slacks and a blouse to class. I don’t like to draw too much attention.” Michelle smiled.

“I never did thank you by the way, for coming here, for taking me in and stuff... But I swear if we go back home and there’s a bunch of pictures of me in holiday dresses and stuff I’m going to lose it right there.” She giggled, blushing a bit. “I’m sorry for what mom and dad put you through though.”

“If my theory on what has happened to you is correct Sweet Pea, you're going to see a lot of pictures at the old home of you dressed as a girl.” Michelle winked.

“What’s your theory?” Taylor asked candidly.

“Oh, I’ve been hearing rumours around campus about specific things, and I believe you got caught up in something, but it’s nothing bad. But before I go any further I really want to do some research ok?” Michelle smiled and kissed Taylor’s forehead.

“Ok. I trust you. Just... um... Tell me if you find anything about a weird little girl with pink eyes.” She quietly pointed to the Stacie doll in the bright pink box on her table. “I had a dream about playing with dolls with her, and then when I woke up, Natalie told me a girl about my age had left that here while I was asleep.”

“I’ll ask around sweet pea. It’s sure taking Natalie awhile; I bet that doctor is here.” Michelle casually changed the subject, adding, “Oh I do have one thing we are getting with this card. I need to get you a cell phone so you can call me.”

“Oh cool!” Taylor almost squealed with joy. She paused for just a moment, as if to say ‘Did I just squeal?’ then giggled. “I don’t care what kind it is, as long as I can get a cute pink case!”

“Deal.” Michelle answered.

The doctor who stepped through the door wasn’t at all who Taylor was expecting. For one, she was female, and rather young-looking for being a specialist of any kind. Her fiery, dark red hair hung in a tight ponytail down her back, stark contrast to her pale features. She smiled warmly.

“Hi Taylor. I’m Doctor Logan - but you can call me Cheryl. How are you feeling today?” She paused to grin right at Michelle. “Well, hi there, stranger! I thought I recognized the last name.”

“Oh my God, Cheryl, I haven’t seen you in a long time.” Michelle turned to Taylor with a grin on her face, “Cheryl will take really good care of you sweet pea. She’s the doctor that sorted out your big sisters medications.” she said with a wink.

Cheryl giggled softly. “It’s been, what, five years now? How’s your lovely aunt?”

“She died shortly after I graduated from high school and had the surgeries done.” Michelle frowned.

“Oh, Michelle I’m so sorry. I had no idea,” she answered sympathetically and frowned as well, stepping closer to give her a light hug.

“It’s ok. She had cancer and wouldn’t have lasted too much longer anyway, and at least we all know she died happy. “ Michelle hugged Cheryl back.

Taylor quietly watched the exchange, a slightly confused look on her face. “But if you were umm... Michelle’s doctor, what’re you doing here?”

Cheryl giggled just a little. “Oh, I’m not just a hormone doctor. I specialize in pediatric and adolescent care overall. Have you been able to get up and walk around very much?”

Taylor nodded her head up and down, “I went out and played with some of the other kids yesterday, and today I’ve moved around the room a lot.”

“Good girl. The sooner you can comfortably get active the better, as long as you don’t exert yourself too much. Have you had any discomfort in your chest?”

“No, it’s just weird having a cast on my arm.” She held up her arm, showing off both the cast, and its many signatures. It didn’t seem to hurt as much, even without as much heavy pain medication.

Cheryl chuckled softly. “You’re quite the popular one, eh?” she teased, but grinned as she leaned over. “Can you wiggle your fingers for me?”

Taylor nodded, and wiggled her fingers a little causing only minor discomfort, “Is that good?”

Cheryl nodded. “Does it hurt?”

“No but um.. kinda but not like bad, just um, like when you have to potty and hold it for too long.” unable to describe it any other way.

Cheryl chuckled to herself again as she smiled. “Well, I see Doctor Brahms has already removed your IV, so she’s probably got you on an oral medication...” She trailed off for just a moment as she examined Taylor’s chart. “Ah. Wow. That small a dose and you’re only feeling minor discomfort,” she mumbled and smiled. “Well, here’s what we’re going to do.”

She paused, setting Taylor’s chart back down again. “Since you’ve shown no signs of concussion or other serious brain injury and your x-rays - aside from that - ahem - little incident with the malfunctioning machine, are looking on par for your recovery time, I’m going to up your dosage on the pain medication a little bit, but set it up so that you can work your way down until you don’t need it anymore. But from what I can see, there’s no reason to hold you here.”

“So we can check her out now then?” Michelle was a bit confused, but at least there was time left in the day to make it over to Alpine Springs to find a place; the afternoon was just starting to blaze on.

Cheryl smiled as she nodded. “As long as she doesn’t do any heavy lifting or push herself too hard, she should be just fine to leave. Doctor Brahms is probably going to want to see her again for a checkup, but she’ll call you to schedule something that works for you both. She’ll have to wear that cast for awhile longer, but with it in a sling and on her pain medication, she should be fine.”

“Yay!” Taylor cheered happily. “Thank you SO much!”

Cheryl giggled politely. “I know it’s not much fun being stuck in the hospital all day. Your recovery’s been remarkable, to be honest. Michelle, it’s been wonderful seeing you again. If either of you need anything and you can’t reach Doctor Brahms, please, don’t hesitate to call me.” She reached into her lab coat pocket to retrieve a business card and a pen, which she used to scribble a number on the back, and offer it to Michelle.

“By the time you’ve got her checked out, I’ll have her new prescription ready. Just ask at the front desk and the receptionist will print it off for you.”

“Thanks Cheryl, It’s great seeing you again as well.” Michelle smiled gave another hug and went over to the closest to retrieve her sister's belongings. “Sweet Pea, You wear the most adorable clothes.” pulling out a Pink T-shirt with Princess written in sparkles, and a pink pleated skirt, with pink tennis shoes.

Cheryl grinned. “Oh that’s pretty!” she added quite genuinely as she stepped out.

Taylor’s jaw dropped wide open. “Oh... My... GOD. I love it!”

“My lil sweet pea is a barbie girl.” Michelle giggled. “Ok there is a bag in here I can put all your new stuffed animals and stuff in; that’s good,” she commented as she began packing. Taylor giggled happily as she slid off the bed, holding her cast-clad arm close to her.

“Oh, I need to help you put your shirt on, till you get comfortable putting one on with a cast.” Michelle grinned.

“Oh, I didn’t even think about that. Yeah, this thing’s gonna be all kinds of in my way.”

Michelle abandoned putting the stuffed animals away and went to help her sister get dressed, “Such cute clothes, I wish mom and dad would have let me wear these, I’m kind of jealous of you.”

Taylor giggled a little but nodded. “Yeah, it’s really unfair. You’re just as much of a girl as I am. Maybe more.”

Michelle smiled, “At least you got to become genetic, I’m... ‘functional’ as a girl, but I can’t ever have kids or experience some of things you will get to when you get older sweet pea.” helping her with her last piece of clothing, “There you go, all dressed.”

“Wow, I never even thought of that.” She smiled and hugged Michelle tightly now that she finally could.

Michelle carefully hugged Taylor back, “So lets get you into the wheelchair because I know thats what the doctors are going to want till you get out of the hospital, and lets get downstairs and sign you out.”

“So where are we staying tonight?” Taylor asked as she reluctantly sat down in her wheelchair, just as Natalie appeared in the doorway.

“Trying to sneak out are we?” Natalie teased.

“Well I got a hotel room in Alpine Springs for tonight, I figured since the school was close to there, we might as well stay. Since its not late I think I might call that real estate agent.” Michelle smiled at Natalie now, “No, we were going to go hunt you down and say that she can check out now.”

Natalie giggled. “Yeah, I bumped into Doctor Brahms on my way back from delivering some supplies downstairs. Congratulations Taylor!” She smiled brightly. “I couldn’t let you guys go without saying goodbye. But you’ve got my cell number, so don’t be a stranger. If nothing else I’ll see you both next weekend, if you still want to go shopping then.”

Taylor smiled and nodded. “Thanks for everything Natalie. When I woke up I didn’t know what was going on, or where I was, and you really made me feel safe. I’m glad that we’ll be able to stay friends.”

Natalie smiled. “Hey, I almost moved to Alpine Springs last year. You’re going to love it there. Some of my closest friends live there, so we’ll definitely be seeing each other again. You just take care of yourself and get well soon.” She bent down to hug Taylor, kissing her cheek. “See you soon, Pumpkin.” She grinned.

Michelle smiled, “Next weekend is still on Natalie. Thanks for helping Taylor out.” as the three headed to the door Michelle pushing Taylor in the wheelchair.

“No problem. She’s a sweet girl. Really reminds me of my friend Crystal when we were younger. I guess that’s why I got so attached to her.” She smiled and gave Michelle a hug from the side. “Take care guys. I’ll see you again soon,” she added cheerfully as she disappeared down a side hallway.

“I think we both made a good friend with that one Taylor.” Michelle smiled as she got inside the elevator with Taylor to the lobby floor. “So what if we get a place to live today? You know our luck has been going that well.” Michelle giggled.

Taylor laughed. “Oh God that would be amazing! You know, if it’s pre-furnished too I’ll just die right there.”

Michelle giggled, “Me too. Watch we get into Alpine Springs, call the realtor, and all she has is a four or five bedroom house fully furnished and a pool. Every Doctor's dream.” She winked, still giggling.

Taylor giggled. “Oh God. Even if I can just dip my feet with this stupid cast, a pool would be sooo cool. I’m not holding my breath or anything, but since we’re dreaming, you know? Oh, and a nice big patio with a little table where we can eat and stuff.”

Once they got checked out and Michelle picked up Taylor’s prescription, she helped Taylor out of the wheelchair and they walked out to her car. “I know its not much to look at I was hoping to maybe snag one of mom or dad's cars.” she giggled.

“Oh God, I completely forgot about that. You haven’t seen Dad’s car have you? It’s a ...” she paused to try and think. “Well, I’m not sure what model it is, but it’s a convertible. You should’ve heard mom. She grumbled for two weeks straight about his ‘mid-life crisis’ - whatever that means. Anyway if it ends up in my name and we don’t have to like sell it or whatever,, it’s all yours.”

Michelle smiled, “I already talked to the estate lawyer for mom and dad, it’s all yours, but under my control till you turn eighteen. Well, except for one little thing... Dad kinda bought a yacht without telling Mom, and left it to me. I’m thinking about painting it pink,” she added with a mischievous giggle.

Taylor shook her head. “I don’t really want any of it. I mean maybe we can use some of the furniture, either at our new house or at your dorm in New Haven, but I want you to at least take half of it. It’s only fair.”

Michelle smiled, “Well what I had planned was for us to take what we could use, put it in our new home, and take the rest to storage, and sell the damn house.” she giggled at the last part as they pulled off the highway into Alpine Springs.

“So it’s 3:30, I’m going to pull over at this gas station and call that realtor.” Michelle smiled at Taylor as she pulled into the parking lot and got out her cell phone.

Taylor sat up and watched as a pair of blonde-haired twins left the store, each carrying a can of soda and turned back to her sister, nodding. “That sounds good. We can put the money from the old house toward our new place.”

Michelle looked at Taylor, “Want to go out and meet them and get a soda too?” reaching in her purse to pull out some money for Taylor.

“What? No, they look like they’re leaving soon anyway,” she lied. She just wasn’t sure about talking to them. She’d actually never even seen real twins before.

“Go catch up with them sweet pea; I’ll be right here on the phone, I can keep an eye on you as well.” She handed a twenty to Taylor.

“Um, okay. Do you want anything?” she answered, defeated.

“Diet Coke if you want to get me one, otherwise thats your money sweet pea.” Michelle kissed Taylor’s forehead.

Smiling, she hopped out of the car. She couldn’t help staring just a little as she walked inside. “They’ll probably be gone before I get back out,” she told herself as she picked up a pack of Bubblicious bubble gum, a Pepsi for herself,and a Diet Coke for her sister. After paying for everything, she unwrapped a piece of gum and popped it in her mouth, stepping back out again with the bag in her uninjured hand.

“We talked our step-sister Sarah into buying a shirt just like that,” one of the twins bubbled cheerfully, causing Taylor to jump. The girl giggled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare ya. I’m Beth, and this’ my sister Em. What happened to your arm?”

“Beth!” Em corrected, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. Are you new here?” the twins bombarded poor Taylor.

Taylor looked a bit nervously between the two girls, and nodded, “My sister and I are moving to Alpine Springs while she goes to Yale.”

“Oh wow!” both girls exclaimed. “Sarah’s real sister LeAnne goes to Yale too,” Beth added. “You’re gonna love Alpine Springs!”

Michelle waved to the three girls from the car like she had good news to tell Taylor, “Sweet Pea, you can bring your friends over here, and introduce me to them.”

Em and Beth both giggled, waiting for Taylor to start back to the car before following behind her. “Wow. I love your hair,” Em bubbled. “I’m Em, and this’ my sister Beth. We were just welcoming your sister to Alpine Springs.” She smiled brightly.

“Thank you both, She’s going to be going Sunshine while I attend Yale, but we will definitely be living here most of the time.” Michelle smiled. “I really don't know how to break this news to LeAnne though. I just moved into her dorm room with her.”

“Ohmygosh,” both girls exclaimed. Beth continued, “You don’t mean LeAnne Cameron?”

“Yes I do. She and I attend a lot of classes together. She’s been such a great help for me.” Michelle smiled.

“Wow, that’s spooky,” Em answered.

“LeAnne’s our step-sister’s - well, future step-sister’s, biological sister!” Beth finished, in that odd finishing-each-others’-sentences thing the girls loved to do.

“Oh you’re Sarah’s step sisters? LeAnne just bubbles on about Sarah and you both.” Michelle giggled. “Do you two need a ride home? Taylor and I have to meet a Ms. Smith on Roul Road.”

“Oh, we don’t want to keep you,” Em answered cheerfully. “We can just walk from here. But Roul road does sound familiar...”

“No it’s not an issue, we don’t have to meet her till five, I don’t mind taking you both home. Any friend or Family of LeAnne’s is a friend of mine.” Michelle smiled.

“Well, if you’re sure,” Beth responded, smiling brightly. “Hey, I wonder if Faith’s going to stop by today,” she added casually to her sister as the pair approached to get in the car.

Em giggled. “I think she’s crushing on you.”

“Shu-ut!” Beth laughed, blushing a little. “Taylor we so have to introduce you to our friends! Sarah’s away in Ireland right now, but I’m sure you’ll like her.”

Taylor chewed her lip for a moment or two. “Faith... Short girl, pretty super-long hair?”

“Extensions, but yeah that sounds like her. You know her?”

Taylor shook her head. “Maybe. I’m not sure,” she trailed off. “So what’s that Sunshine place like? Either of you been there before? It’s not like, super-strict is it?” she asked, changing the subject, and turning the tables on the twins’ rapid-fire questions.

“No but we have some friends who go there, I heard from them it’s pretty relaxed.” Beth replied with a smile, and Em chimed in, “Even the uniforms are cute.”

Michelle interrupted, “So you two will have to tell me where to go to drop you off, and I’ll use my GPS on my phone to find this Roul Street.”

“Oh yeah!” Em answered. “Just follow the main road here another block then make a left. We pretty much own the cul de sac at the end of the street. I mean, it’s us, Sarah’s friend Robin, and their friend Allison. It’s great because we get to listen to them rock out on weekends and there’s no grouchy neighbor to complain.”

Beth giggled, adding, “Oh, and we’re the big house on the left. Usually we bike everywhere, but since the convenience store’s so close we figured we’d walk.”

Michelle pulled up to the girls driveway, after noticing Roul Road was right near the cul de sac, and smiled, “Here you girls go, our road is just down there to the right it looks like. And it looks like its a new road.”

“Cool!” they both cheered. “Hey,” Em added, “If you guys move in nearby you’ll be able to come hang out anytime you want. We’ve got a nice pool here.” She grinned as both girls stepped out.

Both exclaimed, “Thanks for the ride!”

“You’re both welcome. Thanks for talking to Taylor; she needs to make some friends.” Michelle leaned over and kissed Taylor on the forehead again.

“Oh hey, before you go!” Beth announced, looking at Em, who grinned and pulled a pink ink pen from her pocket, handing it to her sister. Both asked at once, “Can we sign your cast?”

Taylor nodded, “Sure, I don’t mind, if you can find a spot to sign it.” she giggled and opened the door to let the girls be able to sign it easier.

“Ooh, here’s one,” Em answered, signing an elegant ‘Emily’, and dotting the i with a heart before handing the pen off to Beth. Not to be outdone, Beth used her short name to save space, but made the ‘B’ a pretty script-like letter. She giggled. “Thanks Taylor. Good luck on your house hunt!”

Michelle waved and waited for the girls to get inside before turning down the road, following abit finding only one house on the road, and it looked newly built three story house with a large pool in the back yard and a nice wooden privacy fence around it. “I don’t think we can afford this place Sweet pea.” as she pulled in front of the house to wait for Ms. Smith.

“Oh my God. I don’t think Mom and Dad could afford this,” Taylor answered with a frown. “I guess it won’t hurt to look, but I won’t get my hopes up sis.”

“Ms. Smith said it was a bargain house, but I don’t see any other homes on this street do you? And it looks too new to be a bargain house.” Michelle frowned.

“Maybe it’s haunted,” Taylor giggled.

As the two talked for a moment, a black BMW pulled up behind them and a woman in her mid thirties wearing a business skirt suit stepped out of the car holding a folder and started to walk up to their car, smiling professionally. As she approached Michelle rolled down her window.

“I know I’m early, but what do you both think from the outside?”

Taylor shook her head first. “It looks amazing, but...”

Michelle frowned. “But it looks kind of pricey, even if we can sell our parents’ house.”

“Well before I tell you the price and you both make your decision let’s have a look inside ok?” Ms Smith smiled as she pulled a key out of a pocket on her top.

Taylor and Michelle got out to follow the woman, Michelle commenting, “It looks brand new. Even the road looks new.”

“The previous owners were from California, but the man’s business went under and the bank had to foreclose on him unfortunately. It’s a six bedroom four bathroom house with an office that can be made into a seventh bedroom. It also has a partially stocked library slash computer room, exercise room, and a theater room, and the house is wired for high speed cable internet.” Ms Smith paused as she unlocked the door to let them in. “There’s also an Olympic sized swimming pool an indoor hot tub, and a full basement.”

Michelle frowned as she listened. There was no way she’d be able to afford this even with it being a bank foreclosure, but she promised herself she’d look around anyway.

“Oh and its partially furnished, especially the master bedroom and one of the bedrooms.” Ms. Smith smiled.

“Wow,” Taylor whispered as she peeked inside.

“Oh my God...” Michelle gasped. “Look at those hardwood floors!”

“I’ll wait in the kitchen while you two look around ok?” Ms. Smith smiled.

“I know there’s no WAY we can live here,” Taylor giggled, “But I’m gonna go check out the upstairs bedrooms anyway.”

Michelle smiled and hugged her sister. “Go ahead, sweet pea. I’ll be up in just a minute.”

Taylor nodded. Part of her wanted to race up the stairs, but she took her time. The last thing she needed was to break her other arm now. She poked her head in the first of the unfurnished bedrooms. It had nice, thick plush carpeting, but not much else. and continued to explore until she came to a door near the end of the hallway. She pushed it open, and stopped dead in her tracks.

“O-oh my God,” she whispered. A bedroom befitting a princess awaited on the other side. Thick, marble-styled white-and-beige carpeting, light rosy pink walls, a canopy bed with pastel pink curtains contrasting lilac bedding, a vanity, and at the far end, an open door revealing a huge walk-in closet.

Michelle stepped behind Taylor slack jawed, “I bet this place is a million or better.”

“Oh yeah,” Taylor sighed whimsically, “But can you just imagine. I almost feel sorry for the girl this room was built for, not to get it after her Daddy went to all this trouble.” She paused. Did she just say ‘daddy’? “Let’s check the third floor. I didn’t find the library or exercise place yet.”

Both girls finished looking around the house, wishing they didn’t because they knew there was no way they could afford it as they went into the rather large kitchen to meet with Ms. Smith. “So how do you both like it?” Ms. Smith smiled at them.

“I appreciate the gesture Ms. Smith. I really do,” Michelle sighed. “But I’m a college student on an honors scholarship. Even with the life insurance policy, AND selling the old house, there’s just no possible way we could afford this.”

“Well the house has been on the market for quite some time with no bites. Since it was foreclosed the bank is getting desperate to unload it. We’re asking for $92,000, with a thousand down.”

“Don’t you mean $920,000?” Michelle asked skeptically.

“No, Just $92,000, and we have a flexible payment plan.” Ms. Smith smiled.

“I-I think I need to sit down,” Michelle answered as she pulled one of the chairs from the table and sat. “How is it that nobody else has jumped on this place yet? There’s got to be something wrong with it. Incomplete plumbing, substandard wiring, a shaky foundation...”

Taylor smiled as she walked over to hug her sister. “Maybe it’s just nobody wanted to live in such a big house?”

“May be,” Michelle answered, “But the furnishings alone could pay for half the asking price easily. Aunt Sofia always said if it’s too good to be true it probably is.” She turned to look at the realtor. “I assume you’ve had the place inspected?”

Ms Smith smiled, “None of those things dear. Not many people want to move to Alpine Springs; they choose to move to the bigger cities like Kingsley or New Haven for the college. And yes we just had it inspected and cleaned recently, actually. I have all the paperwork right here.”

“You know, I bet I could talk LeAnne into moving in with us instead of staying in that cracker box of a dorm room of hers. That would help with utilities a lot. And we could commute together and save money on gas.” She trailed off thoughtfully.

Taylor looked at Michelle hopefully, “That means I wouldn’t have to live at Sunshine?” she squealed with excitement.

Michelle giggled. “Yeah. I mean, if we’re going to be paying for a house THIS nice we might as well live here all the time.”

Ms Smith smiled, “Oh, you mentioned you needed a house sold? I can go look at it anytime you want, I take 15% and we can apply the rest or part of the proceeds or whatever you wanted to the payment on this place.”

“That’d be great,” Michelle answered. “Neither of us really has a lot of sentimental value for the old place. I haven’t seen it since I was three, and Taylor... Well...” she frowned, changing the subject, “But anyway, it’s an older house, but it’s in Kingsley so it shouldn’t be hard to sell.”

“Well here’s the deal, if you have a thousand now you can move in right now, after we sign these papers, or you can move in once you pay me the thousand.” Ms. Smith smiled still knowing full well Michelle could scrape that right now, easily, even without the coven’s involvement..

“I could write you a check right now,” Michelle answered. “I just need your guarantee that there’s nothing wrong with it in writing. My sister’s been through hell, so I’m a little overprotective, you understand.”

Ms. Smith nodded as she opened the folder on the table. “I figured you might be wary of a deal like this and took the liberty to write up an affidavit on behalf of the company I work for saying there is nothing wrong at all with this house. By the way, you’ve probably noticed that this road dead ends here. You’ll own the property on both sides, about Fifteen acres on the other side and I think six on this.”

“Jesus Christ,” Michelle gasped. “Twenty-one acres? And if I’m not mistaken that’s protected national forest land behind us?”

Ms. Smith nodded, “You’re correct, however on the other side you can divide that up and sell it as lots or do whatever you want with it.”

“As long as it stays residential, personally I don’t care what happens to it. You?” she asked, looking over at Taylor.

“Can we make it into a playground or a park for everyone that lives near here?” Taylor giggled.

Michelle laughed and tousled Taylor’s hair. “That’s a great idea. Those girls, Em and Beth, and their friends all live just up the street from here. I’ll look into what it’ll take to get it rezoned as a community park or something.”

Ms. Smith pulled her pen out and signed the affidavit in front of the girls, “There you both go, And here’s the paperwork, once you write the check i’ll call it in and cash it over the phone if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, you have that new app too?” Michelle grinned as she whipped out her checkbook. “I love it. Makes paying the rent back in New Haven so much easier,” she added as she dashed off a check, signed her name to the contract, and handing the pen to Taylor.

Taylor asked as she took the pen, “I thought I was too young to have my name on here?”

Ms. Smith shook her head, “No sweetie, you can sign it as well.”

“Besides,” Michelle added, “When you turn eighteen this place will be yours if you want it. Not that I plan on going anywhere,” she added with a grin.

Taylor nodded and signed the contract with a neat girlish signature, and smiled, “There, and I would never want you to leave me alone ever Michelle; I just got you back.”

“I might get work in the big city after I graduate from college, but I think I’d love living here. This community is just so … so peaceful.”

Ms. Smith smiled, “The neighbors are very laid back, nobody really bothers anyone else, though sometimes you will hear teenagers tear down the roads, but thats kids being kids,” she added, thinking of her Nikki and that blasted Mustang.

Michelle laughed. “Oh, it’s only fair. I used to go to drag races,” she paused, coughing, “less-than-legal after-curfew kind not that long ago. Drove my poor aunt crazy, but at least I never actually drove in one. My old ‘69 wouldn’t stand up to the competition in a straightaway.”

Ms. Smith smiled as she took Michelle’s check and wrote void on it, “Cleared, you both are now legal owners of this wonderful home.”

“Yay!” Taylor squealed happily as she hugged her sister. Michelle giggled and carefully returned the gesture.

“Just out of curiosity, was Roul the guy that built this place?” she then asked. “Because if that’s the case I was thinking we could petition to rename the street. Taylor Lane has a nice ring to it.”

“We can set that in motion and it could be changed as early as next week for free.” Ms Smith replied warmly. “And yes, his name is Roul Alexander Moss.”

“Wow. That’s so cool!” Taylor giggled. “I hope his business picks up again so I don’t have to feel guilty about taking his daughter’s room. It’s just so perfect. This whole house is perfect. Thank you so much Ms. Smith. You have no idea what this all means to me!” she bubbled happily. Michelle, when Taylor wasn’t looking, quietly reached up a hand to dab away a stray tear, smiling softly down at her sister.

“I couldn’t agree more. Now when we go to meet with the Headmistress Taylor’s going to be in such high spirits. Speaking from experience that kind of thing helps a lot with those aptitude tests,” she added with a grin.

Ms. Smith smiled and handed three keys over to Michelle, “Here you go, and I’ll have the title mailed over to your house. It will reflect the payment system we have, and once it’s paid off you will get a clean title to keep.”

“Excellent. If you’d like, and of course if you have time, you’re more than welcome to come by and see the old house for yourself when we head over there in the morning. If not I can just drop off an extra key at your offices afterwards. I unfortunately don’t have one right now, but I think I know where they kept an extra set.”

Taylor looked at Michelle, “I got my house key.” she fished in the small pocket on the inside of her skirt and pulled it out, and smiled, “See!”

“Oh, good!” Michelle answered. “I was dreading asking Mom’s lawyer for permission to break the lock.” She giggled. “Come to think of it she probably has the other keys though anyway.”

“Well you two get what you want out, and do whatever with the rest, and I’ll have a cleaning company come in then take some pictures to put on our website. Just let me know when you're ready, and I’ll get started.” Ms Smith stood to leave the girls to their new home.

Taylor wiggled her fingers and grimaced. “Ow. Maybe I should’ve just pinched myself.” She giggled.

“It was a pleasure to make this sale ladies. I hope you enjoy your new life.” Ms. Smith added as she left.

“‘Life’,” Michelle echoed, but grinned. “Yeah, that’s really what this is. A fresh start for both of us,” she continued and stood to hug Taylor, waving. “Take care, Ms. Smith. Thank you for everything.”

Ms. Smith waved again and left, and Michelle looked over at Taylor., “Let’s go unload your stuffed animals into your room, and maybe see about getting a little shopping done for you because you really need some new clothes Sweet Pea.”

Taylor giggled. “Yeah, until we see what I have at the old place, this’ pretty much all I have right now. Oh gosh, going shopping is going to be...” she suddenly cut herself off. “Um, I mean, going shopping without Mom looking over my shoulder constantly is going to be a new experience.” … Of course what she meant to say was ‘going shopping as a girl is going to be a new experience.’

Michelle giggled, “I could do that for you if you want,” as she went outside and opened her trunk to pull out the bag full of stuffed animals and the box with the Stacie doll in it, heading back inside, “You can set these up anyway you want when we get back ok?” She set the bag on the floor by the stairs.

Taylor followed along behind her sister the whole way, nodding. “I have some ideas, but I’ll figure it out later. Does your GPS know where the mall is?” she half-asked, half-teased.

“Maybe. I forgot to ask Ms. Smith if there was a mall in Alpine Springs.” Michelle smiled, looking it up on google with her phone, “I think I need to get us some laptops too. Mind if I do that with the card Tiffany gave you?”

“Oh, I forgot about that thing,” Taylor answered with a mild giggle. “Sure, I can probably use it for school stuff anyway.”

Michelle smiled and programmed an address into her cell phones GPS, “I should give LeAnne a call, I told her I would give her an update.” as she quickly flipped her phone open and dialed the number, “Hey LeAnne, Just checking in, you would not believe this in a million years, Taylor and I just scored a six bedroom house.”

Taylor could almost hear LeAnne’s response over the receiver. “Oh my Gawd! Girl how in blazes’d you manage that?!”

“Told you. We’re paying ninety-two large for it, aaand If you want, you can come stay here too, I don’t think Taylor would mind, and we can carpool to school still.” Michelle bubbled over the phone.

“That’d be amazing! If yer sure Taylor won’t mind, yes, I’d love that! I’ve been doing my medical internship at the hospital down there. I’d love to be closer to Sarah and Mom.”

“Here you can ask her yourself.” Michelle giggled, “Sweet Pea thats LeAnne, and she has something to ask you.” handing the phone to Taylor.

“Hi Taylor! It’s great to finally get to talk to you! Your sister’s told me so much. How are you feeling anyway?”

“Ok I guess, my arm still kind of hurts, but that’s all. Michelle and I are going to go shopping!” Taylor sounded really excited about that.

“Oh, you’ve got to check out the Alpine Springs mall over on the west end. It’s about four blocks past the convention center. Sarah practically lives there,” she laughed. “So anyway, um, would you be okay with me moving in with you guys and carpooling to school with your sister?”

“You’re my sister’s friend right?” Taylor giggled. “Of course you can stay with us.”

“I’ll be happy to split rent with Michelle just like we were going to do here. I’m on a full scholarship plus grants so I have plenty for these extra expenses like this.”

“I think Michelle is going to pay for the house with Mommy and Daddy’s old home, so you guys will just have to pay for the utilities. That’s what Michelle said I think.” Taylor smiled at the phone.

“Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought about that. Gawd, this is so great. I’m gonna start packing right now and let the school know what’s going on.”

“Hey LeAnne before you hang up, Michelle has something she wants to tell you.” Taylor giggled and handed the phone back to Michelle.

“Hey LeAnne, I just meet your step-sisters today, Beth and Em. I took them home, and they only live a short distance from the house here.”.

LeAnne rarely swore. It was something she admonished as not being ladylike at all, but she couldn’t help the ‘Holy shit’ that escaped her lips. She giggled. “Michelle that’s amazing! You know they only just moved in over there a short while ago, but Momma and Peter are so happy together. And the twins are adorable.”

“Gives you an excuse to visit your mom more often girl. I know you miss your family, and this is just so perfect.” Michelle responded.

“Gawd yes. I only get to see them on weekends as it is. Moving to Connecticut and leaving Momma and Sarah was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Now that we’ll practically be neighbors... I really don’t know what to say. Michelle thank you so much.”

“Hey you helped me out LeAnne; you were going to let me move in with you, so it’s only fair in my books girl. Anyway, If you want to bring some stuff down, we are at 1 Roul Road. It’s the only house on the street. I’m going to have to cut this short so I can take Sweet Pea out shopping though.”

LeAnne sniffed and giggled. “Yeah, I told her the general area of the big mall there. Y’all have fun. I’ve got to call Momma and tell her the news!”

“I got it on GPS too. Talk to you later LeAnne.” Michelle smiled as they both hung up the phone, she leaned over and gave Taylor yet another kiss on her forehead, “You are such a sweet young lady. Where did you learn that from?” and giggled.

Michelle drove to the mall. Taylor quietly watched the sleepy town out the passenger-side window. It didn’t seem like all that tiny of a town, really. There had to be at least ten or twenty-thousand by her estimate, possibly more than that, but it had a small-town feel to it that she found herself really liking.

Taylor giggled a little as they pulled into the mall parking lot. “I’m going to need so much help in here by the way,” she added, glancing down at her cast.

“I know sweetie. I’ll be here to help you. This won’t be our big shopping trip though; we still have one to make with your friend Natalie remember?” Michelle smiled.

“I kind of wish I could keep this thing after I get it taken off, you know, since everyone’s been nice enough to sign it and stuff,” Taylor giggled, staring at some of the signatures with a thoughtful smile.

“We can always take a picture of all the signatures.” Michelle smiled as she stepped out of her old car walking around to open the door for her sister. “Ok sweet pea, lets go see what this place has.” she said with a smile.

“Oki doki,” Taylor answered cheerily and bounded out of the car, almost instinctively taking her sister’s hand.

Michelle smiled as she closed the door with her free hand and held Taylor’s hand, as they proceeded into the mall, “It’s not as small as I thought it would be for a town like this thats for sure Sweet Pea, wow.”

“Hey Michelle, how much money ARE we getting for um, you know, other stuff besides rent and food and stuff?” she asked, eyeing a kiosk right at the front entrance advertising the latest and greatest in MP3 players. As a boy she distinctly remembered asking her parents for one, and being told to make due with the old hand-me-down stereo with the tape deck that hadn’t worked since before she was born.

Michelle giggled, “Well Taylor I can’t really tell you how much money we have, because that’s a secret, but I can tell you to pick out a mp3 player because I have one already in my glove box in the car.”

“Really?!” she practically squealed. “Thank-you-so-much!” she added, pulling Michelle along into the electronics store. It was surprisingly quiet inside other than strains of some band Taylor didn’t recognize playing over the sound system.

Michelle let Taylor look at all the mp3 players while she picked out a pretty pink ‘Hello Kitty’ cell phone for her, and then moved closer. “Find the mp3 player you want sweet pea?”

“I’m not sure,” Taylor answered. “The 8GB model’s probably more than enough for my needs. I really just want enough room for a couple of Disney albums, but...”

Michelle smiled, and looked over. “It doesn’t hurt to prepare for the future; how about that one there?” pointing to a pink iPod that would match the cell phone in the box she was holding.

“Oh, that’s pretty! And the storage space is massive. Are you sure?” She paused to turn back to Michelle, and her eyes went wide as she saw the new phone.

Michelle looked at the young woman behind the counter, “She wants the pink iPod in there, and we will also take this phone. How easy is it to put it on my plan?”

“Depends on who your carrier is,” the woman answered, adding, “By the way, great choice. I have that iPod myself since I was grandfathered in on my cell plan, and didn’t want an iPhone.” She smiled cheerfully as she knelt to retrieve a boxed version of the displayed mp3 player, standing again and setting it on the counter.

“Oh, I’m with Verizon,” Michelle answered, pointing to the Verizon sticker on the phone’s packaging..

“Oh.” the woman giggled. “God I’m a ditz today. Yeah that shouldn’t be hard at all. I can set you up with a new line right here in the store if you want.”

“Sure, that would be great, “ Michelle pulled out her credit card, and some other information about her cell phone service. “I think this should help some getting it added.”

“We’re actually running a special this week on family plans. I’m pretty sure adding a line counts. Let me just check...” she trailed off, staring at her computer screen for just a moment. “Yup! Free phone with the purchase or upgrade. All right, let’s just get this typed in... All right. You’re all set. Did you want to pay for the mp3 player with your credit card or another payment method?”

“Lets put it on the card. By the way, can I get a car charger for her phone as well before you ring it all up?” Michelle turned to Taylor and winked with a smile.

“Oh, sure thing,” she answered cheerfully and set a car charger on the counter. “Your new phone comes with an AC charger too,” she added, smiling at Taylor.

Michelle handed the young lady the card to pay for the purchases then looked at Taylor. “There you go my spoiled little sweet pea. Now we need to get some music on that iPod for you.” She giggled..

Taylor giggled as well. “There’s probably a music store here in the mall somewhere, but I dunno if they’d sell mp3s like direct.”

“Oh, they do,” the young woman answered. “It’s a new service they literally just started offering this summer. It’s a kiosk right inside the music store. You’ll be able to download right to your new iPod.”

Michelle smiled as Taylor looked excited, “Well first young lady, we need to get you some clothes for the weekend and something really nice to meet your new headmistress.”

Taylor giggled. “Yay. New dress. Gosh, I don’t have any idea what to wear though.”

Michelle smiled as they left the store, “I’ll help you sweetie. Some new skirts and a few new tops as well ok?”

Taylor quickly nodded. “Oh um, and maybe a bag to keep my new phone and MP3 player in,” she added with a bubbly giggle.

“It’s called a purse sweetie, and yes we can get you one of those as well.”

Michelle led Taylor down a few stores and into a Junior Miss store. At first Taylor hesitated at the entrance. Everyone else saw her as a girl now, and she most definitely had girl parts, but there was some part of her that still remembered being a boy, and all the embarrassment that went with being dragged through the girls’ section, trying to act like she wasn’t admiring every pretty dress they passed.

“Wow,” she finally whispered, and smiled up at her sister. “This place is amazing.”

Michelle just grinned as they entered the store. “Well lets start with some undies, then we can get you a few shirts and some skirts, and a nice pretty dress to wear on monday.”

Taylor nodded, but she couldn’t help the overwhelming sense of awe at the sudden realization that she belonged here just as much as any other girl did. Part of her wanted to cry, but she somehow managed to push it back down again. She squeezed Michelle’s hand tighter and rested her head against her sister’s arm as she followed her along, giggling to herself.

Michelle stopped and picked up three packages of panties for Taylor, then they moved down the isles towards the skirts and tops. “See any that you like sweet pea?”

“Oh, this one’s cute,” she answered, holding up a pale green Minnie Mouse tank top t herself. “What do you think? Does it go with my hair?” she teased and giggled.

Michelle giggled, “That would look so adorable on you Sweet Pea.”

Looking around, she spotted a white tiered skirt and held the top up next to it. “Ohh, I love this skirt. It’s so pretty.”

Michelle smiled, and added the skirt in her arm with the shirt, so Taylor could try it one when she was ready. “I think its cute too.”

“Hum,” Taylor hummed thoughtfully as she slowly walked through the clothing racks. Shopping wasn’t really as exciting as she’d fantasized about it being once the initial shock wore off, but she was still having fun spending time with her sister.

Noticing the change in Taylor a little Michelle moved closer to her and smiled. “You know why girls like to shop Sweet Pea? It’s so they can spend time with those they care about. And getting new clothes helps, but it’s mostly the bonding.”

Taylor giggled. “That’s what I was just thinking! I used to fantasize about these huge shopping sprees and trying on lots of clothes and stuff...” she trailed off and blushed.

“I mean... You know what I mean. But I’m having more fun just hanging out with you. It’s like... the clothing is a nice bonus. I don’t feel um... ‘wrong’ anymore, but getting to see you, getting to spend all the time we want together is so much... um... bigger?”

Michelle nodded her head and smiled. “I agree with you sweetie. I’m glad you are here with me.” she replied, just as she spotted a cute light pink skirt. “Hey this one almost matches what you have on, but it’s a little lighter on the color.”

“Oh that’s pretty!” Taylor exclaimed. “It looks like it’d be comfortable too.”

“All skirts usually are sweet pea.”

Looking around the girls ended up choosing nine skirts and eleven shirts, five pair of shorts, and three pairs of shoes, as they moved along to the dresses. “What sort of dress do you want for Monday - something flashy?”

“I dunno,” Taylor answered thoughtfully. “It’s too bad it’s so far past Easter or I could get away with something really girly,” she added with a laugh.

Michelle laughed, “Oh, here’s a cute one.” She pointed to a knee-length white dress with spaghetti straps and a lovely embroidery design around the bodice, then picked it up and showed it to Taylor. “What do you think?”

“Oh my Gosh,” Taylor whispered, wide-eyed. “it’s gorgeous! I love it!”

Michelle puts the pretty dress with the rest of the clothes for Taylor to try one getting her a couple pair of Capris as well, and a two piece bathing suit in her size. “Lets go try these on sweetie.”

“Sounds good. This oughta more than get me through the weekend,” she added with a giggle.

“And then some for a few days at least.” Michelle smiled.

“I feel kind of guilty though. Mom and Daddy are gone, and it feels like I should be more upset, but … I just can’t bring myself to cry anymore. Does that make me a bad person?” she asked thoughtfully as they made their way to the changing rooms.

“No sweetie, you already grieved for them.” Michelle kissed Taylor’s forehead.

Taylor smiled a little. “I guess. I’d... I’d like to take some flowers out to them some time, maybe next weekend after we take Natalie home or something, just so I can stop thinking about it so much,” she answered.

Taylor might have been young, and had trouble putting her thoughts into words at times, but she knew what she was feeling, and she knew she had to do something to let go of it. How she knew, though, she wasn’t so sure of. It seemed since waking up in that hospital bed, her feelings were much easier to deal with. Maybe not pretending to be a boy anymore had something to do with it?

“I want to try on that dress first, and see how it looks with those cute white sandals,” she finally spoke up again.

Michelle frowned a moment then smiled. “Sure sweetie, the dress first, then the rest, we already tried the shoes on so we know they fit.”

Taylor smiled and nodded. “Thanks Michelle. I know this isn’t really how you planned on spending your summer. I really can’t thank you enough for taking me in.”

“It’s just how I wanted to spend my summer except with mom and dad still alive, and well maybe all four of us together.” Michelle sighed as she went into the changing room with Taylor to help her with her clothes.

“So um,” Taylor took it upon herself to change the subject, “What’s LeAnne like?” she asked, as she held her arm up slightly for Michelle to move her sling.

“She’s a wonderful person. She’s from Arkansas originally, and well, you met her step sisters at the gas station.” Michelle smiled as she helped Taylor into the dress which fit perfectly.

After helping Taylor try on all her new clothes which all fit, they left the changing room, to go pay for everything, “So next on the shopping list is a laptop for us both.” Michelle was happy that all the new clothes she helped Taylor pick out fit her.

“I wonder if there’s a pink one,” Taylor giggled.

“Maybe. I think I saw the sign for the computer store over in the next wing of the mall.” Michelle smiled as she paid for and grabbed the bags with Taylors clothes in it.

“Cool!” Taylor answered happily. “Need help with those?” she asked, adding as they exited, “Ohh Claire’s is just over there! I’m going to drag Natalie in there next weekend,” she bubbled.

“You don't have your ears pierced do you Taylor?” Michelle studied her sisters ears, “If you don’t we can get those done today, so by next weekend you can get better then the starter earrings.”

“Wow, really? I’m not too young?” she asked hopefully.

“No you’re not sweetie, and I’m your guardian so I can give you permission.” Michelle added with a grin as they headed to Claire’s to get Taylors ears pierced.

“You’re the coolest,” Taylor giggled, resting her head against her sister as she hugged her, even as they walked inside the store.

“Hi there!” a rather tall, older blonde-haired teenage girl that looked like she’d done her shopping here not too long ago greeted the pair warmly. Her bracelet, belt, and hoop earrings definitely had the Claire’s style to them. “Just let me know if you guys need any help.”

“I’d like to get my lil sister’s ears pierced if that wouldn’t be an issue?” Michelle smiled, “I have some papers here, stating that I am her legal guardian if you need them.” she added, digging through her purse for the papers.

The girl smiled as she nodded. “Better safe than sorry. I haven’t seen you around here before. You don’t go to Northside High School do you?”

“No, I’m going to Yale, and my little sister will be starting at Sunshine.” Michelle answered.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” she replied, blushing. “You just look like you could pass for a senior at my school.”

“Oh thats fine, I should have been a senior this year, but I graduated early and went on to Yale.” Michelle pulled the papers out and showed them to the girl.

“That’s so cool. I actually considered doing that. I mean, my parents pressured me to when I was given the chance, but I didn’t want to miss out on my senior year of high school. Granted I’m only a junior THIS year,” she added, “So I’ve got another year to decide.” She smiled warmly as she glanced over the papers.

“I didn’t have a pleasant time in high school, but that’s another story, Yale is a wonderful college. The professors are very relaxed about your background, where I totally expected them to all be stuffy. Even the other students have been cool about my age. I’m taking some summer courses right now, but since we are moving to Alpine Springs I’m taking two weeks off to settle in.”

“Well, it looks like everything’s in order.” She handed the papers back to Michelle. “So you’re getting your first set, right?” she asked, looking down at Taylor with a friendly smile. “Don’t worry. It only stings for a second, and even then it’s really not bad at all for the lowers. I was too much of a wimp to have my uppers done though,” she added with a giggle.

Michelle grinned, “Taylor sweetie, If you hadn’t noticed I have five in each ear. She’s telling you the truth; it only stings for a second, and the lower lobe holes don’t sting much at all if any.”

“That’s a relief,” Taylor answered. “I just got out of the hospital. I really don’t need anymore needles being jabbed in me,” she giggled.

“Aw, I’m sorry,” the cashier answered, frowning softly. “Glad you’re feeling better at least. So, as far as starter sets we can do a simple stud in silver or gold-plate, or a birthstone if you prefer Mind if I ask what happened, by the way?”

“Some older girls in her old neighborhood decided to use her as a punching and stomping bag, but the cops got them, and they’re facing some jail time.”

“Oh my God,” she gasped. “You know one of the girls on my basketball team studies Kenpo. Her step-dad owns the dojo, if you want to sign her up for self-defense classes. Personally, after seeing her in action, I thought about signing up myself.”

“I think I want those pink ones.” Taylor grinned ignoring most of the comments being made about her.

“Nice choice,” the cashier answered warmly, motioning for Taylor to follow. “C’mon back here, and we’ll get you some new holes in your head,” she teased.

Taylor and Michelle both giggled, as Taylor followed the cashier, “I’m Taylor by the way.” She smiled brightly about getting her ears pierced since her parents wouldn’t even let her.

“I’m Chelsea,” the girl answered cheerfully. “Oh, and don’t worry. I just started working here over the summer, but I’ve already done this dozens of times. Just make yourself comfortable in the chair here while I get the piercer.”

Taylor hopped in the chair fidgeting a bit because she was nervous. “So it won’t hurt all?”

“Sometimes it might hurt a little, but most of the time you feel it go in and that’s it. For me it was like that, where it just went in, and I almost didn’t even feel anything at all.”

“If Michelle can have five in each of her ears, I can do this too!” Taylor giggled, “I want to be just like her.”

“Aww,” she giggled, readying the piercing gun and sliding it into position for the first stud, but before she applied it, she added, to distract her, “You know I sometimes catch flak for being an over-achiever, but I don’t care. I am who I am. The secret is that you just have to apply yourself. I’m not all that smart, but I work hard. So I’m sure you can be just like her if you apply yourself too. It helps if it already runs in the family.” Click. The first stud went in.

Michelle who was standing there waiting for her sister to be finished listening to the two talk smiled, “She comes from a line of highly intelligent people.” giggling at that, “ I was a 4.0 student, and if they could have given a higher GPA I probably would have gotten that myself. And from what I hear about Taylor, she was doing extremely well in her school. They were going to skip her a grade, but our parents said no.”

Chelsea giggled. “Oh, wow. You’re going to do really well at Sunshine then,” she added, applying the second stud. “All done.”

Taylor blinked. “Done already? But I didn’t even feel them go in.”

Chelsea picked up a small hand mirror, offering it to Taylor. “Go ahead, see for yourself,” she replied with a grin.

Taylor looked into the little mirror, “Oh wow they are very pretty. Thank you Chelsea!” she bubbled.

Chelsea grinned. “Hey, no problem. Now, normally this is the part where I’d bombard you with information about how to keep the area clean and free of infection, but I’m pretty sure your sister’s heard it so many times she could recite it backwards in three different languages.” She winked and smiled. “So I’ll just give you this little bottle of alcohol-free cleaning solution.”

“Including but not limited to Latin.” Michelle winked, “And that’s Eight languages,” she replied, and then giggled, “Oh since you know Taylor’s name and we both know yours, My name’s Michelle.”

Chelsea laughed, “Tu hablas Espaá±ol?” she teased. “Just kidding. It’s great to meet you Michelle. I can’t tell you how nice it is to meet someone who understands the pressure. We should grab a coffee sometime, if it wouldn’t feel weird I mean.”

“Oh not at all. That would be nice. You’re a junior, so you’re like 17 right?” Michelle smiled, “Y si, se hablar espaá±ol.”

“God, Maria’s going to love you,” Chelsea laughed. “And yeah, I’m seventeen,” she answered cheerfully.

“So am I, I’ll be eighteen in November.” Michelle smiled. “It’ll definitely be nice to hang out with people my age sometimes.”

Chelsea stepped behind the counter again, scribbling off a quick note on a Post-it, and handing it to Michelle. “Here’s my cell and address so we can stay in touch. I’m only working here part-time, with cheer camps and things going on, but I have a couple of friends who would absolutely love you.”

“Cool.” Michelle put it in her wallet, and pulled out her credit card, “So how much was the damage on the piercings?”

“Oh, this one’s on me,” Chelsea replied with a grin. “Piercing’s free anyway to under-eighteen customers, and it sounds like you’ve been through hell, Taylor, so consider the earrings a welcome to Alpine Springs gift. I hope things get better for you both soon.”

Taylor looked so happy when she bubbled again. “Thank you Chelsea, and I hope you and my sister can be good friends.”

Chelsea grinned. “I just hope she doesn’t run me off when it comes time to study for the SATs.” She winked.

Michelle giggled, “I’d never do such a thing, but with your intelligence Chelsea you might not have to do too much studying for the SAT’s.” She gave her a wink. “Thanks for the earrings, tell Chelsea thanks again sweet pea.”

“Thank you sooo much!” Taylor replied happily.

Chelsea smiled warmly as she nodded. “You’re very welcome. You two have a great afternoon.”

Michelle led Taylor out of Claire's and smiles, “I got some disinfectant at home for your ears, and you need to turn them regularly otherwise they will get infected sweet pea.”

“Ewww. You’ll have to show me. Oh, and can I do either of those with just one hand?”

“Yes you can sweetie. You just take the stud in the front and twist it gently, like this.” Michelle showed Taylor with one of the studs in her ears.

“Ohhh okay, that’ll be easy,” she answered confidently.

Michelle nodded, “Just don’t constantly do it, otherwise your ears will hurt,” as they entered the Computer store in the mall. “Lets see what they have for laptops before we had over and get you some music for your new iPod.”

Taylor smiled as she nodded. “After this, I kinda hafta pee too,” she added, blushing slightly.

“Thats fine; we can make this fast, and then we can go to the bathroom down this wing.” Michelle smiled as she looked around and found herself a really nice Asus laptop to help with her schooling, approaching Taylor afterwards. “Find anything that catches your eye sweet pea?”

“I don’t know anything about these things,” Taylor answered with a confused, semi-blank stare. “These two are pretty?” she added with a giggle, pointing at a Macbook and a Dell Inspiron with a Switch lid. “Dad was kind of … um... anti-technology when it came to computers.”

The man behind the counter smiled, “You can’t all base them on pretty, but the Macbook is perfect for learning on, and I believe the schools around here in Alpine Springs use Macs primarily.”

“And I can get a friend to set you up with a Windows dual boot if you decide you want to play any computer games that aren’t Mac compatible - after you’ve finished your homework,” Michelle added with a grin.

The man chuckled. “The macbook comes in four colors - red, blue, green and pink, and it’s the top of the line macbook, with dual 500 gig hard drives, Intel quad core 3.0ghz processors, and 16 gigs ram.” the man winked saying it more for Michelle then to Taylor.

“Wow,” Michelle answered. “That’s more powerful than my last two desktop PCs combined. That sounds fantastic for her.”

“That Asus you’re holding - I have a Gamer Republic certified one behind the counter, If you would rather have that one?”

“What’s the cost difference?” Michelle asked thoughtfully.

“About 800 between the two machines, and today there is a 50% off Asus products, and 25% off Mac machines.” the man grinned.

“Sold,” Michelle laughed. “Let me just return this one,” she added, turning to step away for just a moment. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you want the pink one, Taylor?” she asked with a grin.

“Like you have to ask!” Taylor giggled.

“Ok then, She’ll take that macbook in pink, and I’ll take the gamer laptop, Thank you so much.” Michelle reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet getting her credit card out to pay for the items.

“Not a problem, miss. I figured since you knew enough to know how to set up a dual boot that you might be a bit more discerning of your computer needs,” he reasoned as he placed two boxes on the counter. “And if you’d like I can have these carried out to your car for you - no extra charge. Or you’re welcome to stop back by on your way out if you still have more shopping to do.”

“Oh um, mind if we leave these here, and come back, she’s got to use the potty, and we have one more store to hit before we call it a day.” Michelle smiled.

“Certainly. I’ll just set them behind the counter for you,” he answered as he returned her credit card along with the receipt.

“Thanks so much.” Michelle smiled as she and Taylor left the store taking her to the restroom near the end of the hallway. “I’m going to go sit out on the bench. Yell if you need anything sweet pea.” Michelle left the bathroom and sat down on the bench outside.

Inside, two girls about Taylor’s age - one with shoulder length copper-red hair and freckles, another with slightly longer sandy blonde hair, chatted away. The blonde-haired girl was just entering one of the stalls, while the other girl leaned against the sink. She smiled at Taylor.

“Sweet pea, huh?” she giggled a little. “My big sister calls me ‘Pumpkin’ in public, like, all the time. Oh wow. What happened to your arm?”

Taylor frowned, “I think some older girls from school beat me up. It’s sort of fuzzy. I remember going to the park, and then I woke up in the hospital.”

The girl frowned. “Wow... I hope they got locked up for that. I’m so sorry. Oh, I’m Megan. My friend Trisha’s in there,” she added with a giggle.

“Stupid Mountain Dew,” Trista grumbled from the other side of the closed bathroom stall..

“Oh! Sorry. Didn’t mean to keep you from using the bathroom,” Megan suddenly said.

“I’m Taylor. Sorry for cutting this short, but I got to pee too.” she giggled and bee-lined for the other stall.

“Nice to meet you,” Megan giggled. “Do you go to school here? Me and Trish go to Sunshine private school.”

“I’m going to start at Sunshine this year. What’s it like?” Taylor asked.

“Oh cool!” Megan answered, but Trisha chimed in before she could continue.

“It’s great. The class sizes are a lot smaller so it’s easy to get one-on-one time with a teacher if you don’t understand something.”

“Yeah, not at all like my public school was back in Hartford,” Megan added. “The staff’s all really nice, and the other kids are okay. The worst part is the uniform, but that’s not really that bad either. On Fridays they let us wear whatever we want as long as it’s nothing bad.”

Trisha giggled. “They even let it slide that one time a boy wore a girls’ uniform to school on a dare. Of course,” she added as she stepped out of the stall and started to wash her hands, “It didn’t hurt that he actually looked like just any other girl, but he had to attend girls’ classes for the day!”

“Oh yeah that’s another thing,” Megan giggled. “Classes are boy/girl segregated, if you hadn’t already heard about that. We sometimes get an integrated gym class, but even that’s pretty rare.”

“Yeah my social worker said it was segregated, and that we get events with the boys sometimes, like dances, and sporting events right?” Taylor stepped out of the stall to wash her hands.

“Yeah. Oh, I forgot about the sport program. For a small private school it’s pretty good!” Trisha bubbled. “I never was big on sports and stuff, but I love playing soccer. The other girls on the team really stepped up and helped me learn how to play.”

“She kicks better than some boys,” Megan added with a laugh. “I might play softball next year myself, but I’d rather stick with one extra activity at a time, and playing violin is what I love, even if my parents hate it.” She giggled.

“I might try out for soccer; it sounds fun - if my sister will let me. I have to meet the Headmistress on Monday, and my sister got me this cute dress for when we go meet her. I’ll get my uniforms and take the aptitude tests, but that’ll be easy enough..” Taylor bubbled..

“You should totally try out,” Trisha insisted. “Just ask any of us on the team if you want any help.”

“The Headmistress is really nice, by the way,” Megan added. “Just being around her it’s hard not to feel relaxed, as long as you’re not in trouble.”

“And even then she’s very calm and even-handed,” Trisha nodded. “Well, usually. Sometimes she doles out some strange punishments.”

“Like the girl who had to wear gum on the end of her nose all day because she got caught putting it under her desk,” Megan practically cackled.

Taylor smiled. “I think I’m going to really like this school then, I was sort of nervous about going, especially since I just moved here from Kingsley.”

“Isn’t that where Crystal lived?” Megan asked, looking over at Trisha.

“Oh yeah! And that other girl, Natalie.”

“I meet a Natalie in Kingsley when I was at the hospital, and she talked about a friend named Crystal.” Taylor giggled, “She even asked if I wanted to join the scouts. My sister is setting it up for me, and shes going to join as an adult thingy.”

“Awesome!” Both girls squealed in unison. “Crystal was always so nice to us. She really made camp more fun,” Megan continued. “We’ve both been scouts since we were like, seven,” she giggled. “But you know Spirit joined when she was fifteen too, so age is really not a big deal.”

“Yeah, if you do join we’ll totally help you get caught up on merit badges!” Trisha cheered.

“Cool! I’m so glad I met you two even if it was on accident.” Taylor gigged, “I’m living over on Roul road, but my sister is having it changed because its a private road to my name, Taylor Lane or something.” She giggled more.

“Oh my Gosh, that’s so cool!” Megan giggled. “I’m like jealous! I’ll ask my mom if she knows where it is. Maybe we can come over sometime? Me and Trish are practically sisters.”

Trisha giggled. “Yeah, except we never argue.”

“Hey, we’ve got a few minutes still before my Mom picks us up. Would your sister mind if we tagged along with you?” Megan asked.

“We can ask her, We were just going to go to the music store so I could get some music for my new iPod, then go pick up our laptops.” Taylor smiled, as the girls left the bathroom, “Maybe I can talk her into eating here too. I’m kinda hungry. I just got out of the hospital, and I need real food,” she added.

“That’s okay. Our moms are supposed to pick us up soon anyway. So what kind of music do you like?” Megan asked.

Taylor blushed. “I still like disney music.”

Trisha giggled. “I just got the Shake it Up album on my iPod today.”

Megan laughed. “Trisha is the biggest Disney freak I’ve ever met. She’s even getting me into it. My older brother listens to a lot of weird stuff like Heedless Despair, but I’m kind of partial to more upbeat stuff myself. Oh have you heard the Debbie Ryan cover of ‘We got the Beat”? It’s great!”

“Yeah thats why I like Disney music, I was going to pick up the new Shake it up, and maybe some older stuff. I loved the soundtrack to The Little Mermaid.” Taylor blushed but giggled.

“I LOVE The Little Mermaid!” Trisha bubbled. “I still sleep in Ariel pajamas.” She paused, blushing brightly as both she and Megan started to giggle.

“Oh! Trisha you’re a genius!” she announced as she held the door open for her old friend and her new friend.

“Don’t announce it to the whole world,” Trisha teased, as Megan continued.

“Taylor, once you get settled in and get used to living here, we should have a slumber party! We can invite some of the other girl scouts, or just the three of us, you know, whatever you were comfortable with. It’d be so fun.”

Michelle stood up and smiled, “Hello there. Get lost in there sweet pea?”, winking at Taylor, “And who might these two be?”

“Sorry,” Megan piped up, “We started talking and found out we had a lot in common.” She giggled. “I’m Megan, and this is my BFF Trish. We both go to Sunshine, and we’re girl scouts.”

“And we know Natalie,” Trisha added with a giggle. “It’s kind of a freaky coincidence, but it’s really cool too!”

Taylor laughed and nodded. “Yeah, we were talking about the school and music and stuff. I think I might maybe want to try out for soccer when my arm gets better. It sounds really fun. Plus Trisha says her and the others on the team can help me learn.”

“Well, we’ll have to see, but I think it can be arranged. I won't be able to attend many of your games if you do join sweet pea. Remember I’m going to college as well.” Michelle frowned slightly, changing the subject., “So we are headed to the music store ladies want to join us, and maybe catch something to eat before your parents come get you?”

“Wow. You didn’t tell us your sister’s a psychic,” Megan giggled. “We’d love to. The food court here is amazing.”

Michelle winked. “I just heard you girls talking, and I’m kind of hungry as well.” She added thoughtfully as they walked along, “This mall is amazing for such a small town.”

“I guess it is. There’s even a rumor that Heedless Despair owns the other music store here - the one that sells gear for musicians, not the one that sells music. We’ve just sorta always accepted it since we grew up here,” Megan mused. “Well I mean Trisha grew up here, I’ve been here since I was seven. But I do looove that musician store. Every time I need a bow tweaked they’re ready to help. I’m thinking about talking to the manager about an electric violin gear setup.”

Michelle walked Taylor and the girls to the music store, pulling out Taylors iPod and getting it ready for her, then handing it over. “You know what we forgot to do Sweet Pea? I forgot to buy a wireless router for the new house, and order internet.” Michelle giggled.

“Oh yeah! The realtor lady said it was already wired for high speed. I guess that means we just have to get it turned on huh?” she giggled. “This is so cool!”

“When we go pick up our laptops i'll buy the equipment we need. Anyway, here’s your iPod sweet pea.” Walking over to the MP3 kiosk, Michelle put fifty dollars in credit for Taylor.

“Your sister is the coolest,” Trisha whispered and giggled as Taylor’s eyes went wide.

“Um, wow. Thank you!” she giggled, and started searching through the catalogue.

“Past birthdays I’ve missed.” Michelle giggled and winked.

“Oh my God. They have the Cheetah Girls too. I really just want a couple of songs off that album, but wow!” she bubbled, sorting through and adding several mp3s, including a discounted Little Mermaid soundtrack and a couple of other songs and albums, and just for giggles, one album containing Beethoven’s symphonies, for study time. After she’d finished, following much discussion among the three girls about what to do with the last five dollars’ worth of credit, Taylor turned around and one-arm hugged her sister.

“Any ideas?” she asked.

Michelle hugging Taylor back smiled, “Your iPod plays movies, why don’t you spend the last five on some discounted disney movies?”

“Hey yeah! Taylor that reminds me, I have a couple of the Tinker Bell “digital” copies that I can share with other devices. I’ve got it on my laptop, my iPod, and Megan’s laptop. Let me know if you want it on yours too, since there’s really nobody else I know who’d want them.”

“Aww, thanks Trisha!” Taylor giggled as she turned back to the kiosk to grab a copy of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. “This is like a dream. I mean next you guys are going to tell me you don’t think it’s weird that I still play with dolls-” she paused, and blushed brightly. She had no idea where that came from, but Megan laughed.

“Girl, please! I love my Barbies!”

Taylor heaved a sigh of relief and smiled brightly. “So what kind of shops does the food court have anyway?”

“Junk food galore,” Trisha answered. “But the McDonalds here serves a nice salad too. The ranch dressing is so good. So I forgot to ask, how old are you Taylor? I’m 9  ½ and Megan just turned 9.”

“Oh, I’m 9 too,” she answered happily.

“Oh so cool, we are all the same age, that rocks, Hey Taylor’s sister?” Megan giggled, “Sometime soon, can Taylor come over and have a sleepover at my place?”

“That sounds like a great idea. I missed out on things like sleepovers when I was her age. I wouldn’t want her to miss them too. Do you think I could meet with your Mom first? Just to kind of get to know her before then.” She paused and giggled. “Oh, and you can call me Michelle.”

“Oh ok Michelle, sure you can meet my mom, and Trisha’s too, since they have to come get us because well we live on different sides of town.” Megan giggled.

“In the meantime, lunch is on me,” Michelle replied cheerfully, adding, “Well, dinner, I guess. Late-afternoon snack?”

All three girls giggled. “Late Afternoon snack I think sis!” Taylor said between giggles. They all stopped in the computer store so Michelle could get the two new laptops, a wireless router and an internet high speed cable box so they didn’t have to rent one.

“Hey Taylor, which one’s yours?” Megan asked, looking at the laptops on display.

“I got a pink Macbook.” Taylor beamed , not sure what the specs on the laptop where because they never really meant anything to her.

“Oh hey Sweet Pea,” Michelle handed her a twenty and a ten, “This is so you and your two new friends can go eat at whatever place you want to in here. Go hang out with them, and I’ll meet up with you after I pay for this stuff.”

“Oh, thanks Michelle!” Taylor answered happily as she accepted the money, turning to her new friends. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m dying for a chocolate milkshake. I don’t even care about the rest.”

“Oh boy. Another chocoholic,” Trisha teased, shooting Megan a glance. Megan giggled.

“Hi, I’m Megan, and I’m a chocoholic.” All three burst out laughing as they walked toward the food court.

Michelle came walking into the food court with a pretzel from the pretzel shop and a 16oz bottle of Diet Coke, as well as two laptops and several bags of clothes. She sat down putting Taylor’s laptop in front of her still in the box, and set the clothing bag next to her on the ground. “Ok, that’s a lot of work.”

Taylor giggled. “I feel kinda guilty, but even if my arm wasn’t in a cast there’s no way I’d be able to carry half that stuff.”

“We can help,” Megan offered. “Our moms are meeting us in the parking lot anyway, so you’d be able to meet them both too.”

Michelle smiled. “Thank you girls, you both are so well mannered just like my sweet pea.” Michelle grinned.

Trisha laughed. “It’s part girl scout, part private school I think. I don’t really remember, but my parents swear I was a monster when I was little.”

“And public school just bored me to tears,” Megan added. “That’s why I love Sunshine. It’s challenging sometimes, but the teachers are great about explaining things when you get stuck.”

Taylor nodded, “I did ok in public school. It’s just this group of older girls got jealous of me being smart, and decided to invite me to the park, and beat me up.”

Michelle having read the police report nodded. “It’s a good thing a parent and her child were in the park. They caught them in the act before Taylor could get too hurt.”

Taylor sighed, “At least something good happened this week - between getting to live with Michelle, and meeting you guys and Natalie.”

Trisha frowned. “You should sign up for my self defense class. I’m thinking about studying taekwondo too, but the basic class is super-easy to pick up, and the one bully who thought to pick on Megan didn’t get too far.”

Megan giggled. “Yeah. He tried to twist my arm, and Trisha kicked his butt - literally. He’s in some kind of anger management therapy dealie now. Haven’t seen him in awhile,” she trailed off, giggling again.

“But really, if anybody messes with you here, ESPECIALLY at school, talk to Bethany right away. She’ll make sure you don’t get in any trouble if you didn’t do anything to provoke it.”

Taylor nodded, as did Michelle, then Michelle added, “I think I will be signing her up for some self defence classes once she’s out of that cast.”

“Trisha’s been trying to talk me into doing it too,” Megan added.

“Hey, I won’t always be around to save your butt,” Trisha giggled.

“Oh, hey!” Megan suddenly grinned. “Taylor when you get your cast taken off, we could sign up together, that way we’ll both be starting on the same level.”

“That sounds like a good plan.” Taylor giggled.

“Oh, and don’t worry about being ‘too smart’,” Megan added, finger quoting that last part. “A lot of kids at Sunshine are considered Gifted and Talented by normal public school standards. Kids that might have been skipped a grade and stuff. We’re not a bunch of nerds or anything though. Just look at Trisha.”

“Megan!” Trisha blushed. “Okay I admit it. … Technically I’m a ‘genius’. But I don’t like to talk about it.”

Michelle smiled at Taylor and the two girls, “Looks like you will fit right in Taylor, according to the last Stanford-Binet test she took, scored a bit lower then me at 192. But that test is slightly outdated, and nobody pays attention to IQ scores these days.” she added with a giggle.

Trisha grinned broadly. “Wow Taylor, that’s great! Suddenly I don’t feel so embarrassed anymore.”

“Gee, thanks,” Megan teased, causing Trisha to roll her eyes.

“You know what I mean Megs. But that’s why I got into soccer so heavily. It was kind of a way to prove to myself that I wasn’t just another brainiac. You guys are the only ones, aside from my teachers, that know that,” she added with a smile. “I’m sooo glad we ran into you guys now.”

“I like you both. You’re so nice. I hope we can see more of each other before school starts.” Taylor smiled as Michelle stood up to grab some of the shopping.

“I think it’s time to be off girls.” Michelle said as she balanced one of the laptops..

“Yeah our Moms are probably waiting for us by now,” Trisha giggled. “Do you need help with that?”

“Sure if you guys don’t mind helping me carry the laptops I can carry the bags.” Michelle replied warmly.

“Nah, we don’t mind,” Megan answered, picking up one of the laptops and carrying it carefully with both hands, as Trisha grabbed the other one. “Lead the way, Chief!” she giggled.

Michelle, Taylor and the other two girls left the mall through the front entrance and walked about two rows down to Michelle’s old Mustang. It had plenty of miles on it, and the body needed some work, but it had plenty of work put into it under the hood. “Here we go. Thank you - the both of you.” Michelle pulled out two fives and gave one to each of the two.

“We can’t accept this,” Trisha insisted, even as Megan tried to give the money back, herself. From further up the parking lot a pair of women, one dressed in a business suit with her strawberry blonde hair in a bun, the other wearing faded jeans and a form-fitting top and dark brown, nearly black shoulder length hair, chatted away as they walked closer.

Michelle refused to take it back, “It’s a thank you gift, for helping me out with carrying the laptops.” making note of the two women coming over.

“Hi girls,” the blonde-haired woman called as the pair came closer.

“Hi Mom,” Megan called back, waving the pair over. “Moms, Michelle and Taylor. This’ my mom, Theresa,”

“And my mom, Kathleen,” Trisha added.

Kathleen smiled warmly. “Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you both.” She grinned at Michelle. “Although at first glance I wasn’t expecting a Bio Med major to be so … Well, young-looking.” She winked, still grinning a friendly grin.

Michelle giggled, “Thanks, and how did you know I was taking Bio Med?”

Theresa grinned now as well, glancing down at their daughters. “Megan texted me from the food court, and I passed it on to Kathleen. I’m surprised she didn’t break the exclamation mark button on the keypad though,” she teased causing Megan to roll her eyes.

“So you two are new to Alpine Springs?” Kathleen asked.

“Yeah, we bought that house over on Roul road, though I’m going to have the road renamed since it’s just us.” Michelle added. “Taylor Lane kinda has a nice ring to it.”.

“Oh yeah, that new road over near where those teenage girls were chased by that weird guy last summer,” Theresa frowned. “Oh, don’t worry, he’s locked away where he belongs now. But this is such a sleepy little town that news like that gets around fast. Such a shame that Roul’s plans fell through. I heard it was a beautiful house.”

Kathleen nodded. “Well, anyway, it was great meeting you Michelle. I’ve got to get dinner started, but I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of each other in the future.” She paused to grin at her daughter, who giggled and nodded. “We’ll have to get together for coffee sometime.”

“You won’t believe this, but Taylor scored at 192 IQ!” Trisha could be heard bubbling excitedly as they walked away.

“We shouldn’t keep you either,” Theresa added. “If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to let me know though. And Taylor, you’re more than welcome to stop by whenever you like dear. It’s so nice to see Megan coming out of her shell a little,” she added, causing Megan’s pale cheeks to turn almost as red as her hair.

“Mother!” she giggled. “Bye Taylor. Oh hey!” She quickly pulled out a pen, scribbling her number on Taylor’s palm. “Call me!”

Taylor smiled, “Sure! I just got a new phone!” she giggled.

Megan giggled and waved as she and her mother walked away, and Michelle smiled. “I’m definitely going to like living here.”

Taylor giggled, “Me too, and I think I’m going to like my new school too!”

Michelle smiled thoughtfully. Even those few times around the holidays when she got to see her younger sibling from a distance, she never remembered seeing Taylor even remotely cheerful. ‘I hate that I never got to reconcile with the folks,’ she thought to herself as she sat down in the driver’s seat of her car, ‘But at least things are working out for Taylor.’

She smiled at her sister. “Need anything before we head home?”

Taylor shook her head, “No I don’t think so. Oh, maybe we should buy some food?”

“Yeah, I was just debating if we should pick up some essentials like flour and milk, and maybe some eggs for breakfast.”

“Can I have some Cap’n Crunch?” Taylor giggled.

Michelle laughed. “Sure thing, Sweet Pea. Regular, Peanut Butter, Crunchberry... Mmm... Oh, I know. All three!” she answered her own question and grinned.

Taylor giggled, “Sure I love them all.”

“Me too,” Michelle replied with a playful wink. “Can’t be a grown-up all the time.” She giggled.

Taylor giggled as Michelle pulled into the Grocery Store. “Oh look someone left a cart close to our car”

“Might as well take it in with us before it rolls into someone else’s car. Or mine,” she giggled, grabbing the cart. “Okay, so milk, eggs, cereal, some canned goods, maybe some meat if it’s on sale. Hey Sweet Pea, did you ever learn how to cook?”

Taylor shook her head, “Mommy was too busy to teach me to cook.”

“Well, would you like to learn? Auntie taught me all of Grandma’s recipes before she passed, and left me her cookbooks, too.”

“Sure! If you’re teaching me it will be fun to learn to cook!” Taylor bubbled as she decided she would try to push the cart with one hand.

Michelle grinned as she nodded. “You bet. I love to cook. I was worried that going to college would mean I wouldn’t have a nice kitchen to work with, but now that I do, I’m gonna teach you everything I know. We’ll start with something simple tonight - chocolate chip cookies.”

“Yay! I love chocolate chip cookies! Michelle you’re the best sister a girl could ever ask for!” Taylor smiled brightly as she one hand steered the cart into the store.

MIchelle giggled. “Suddenly I’m glad our new place has an exercise room, or I’d be in sooo much trouble. I’m going to put a nice TV and DVD player in there if there’s not one already, so I can do my aerobic workouts, speaking of which,” she added, following along beside Taylor. “Just let me know any ideas you have to furnish the place, or if there’s anything you want to add to your room.”

Taylor nodded, “I want to get some Katy Perry posters, if that’s ok, and some unicorns!” she added the last one with a giggle.

“Oh, that sounds really cool. I love unicorns! What kind did you have in mind - like, plushies, ceramic figurines, or something else?” she asked as she picked up a bag of flour and set it in the cart, along with a few other things.

“Plushies. I might break ceramic ones, I broke your old Ceramic ballerina but I glued her back together!” Taylor flinched.

Michelle giggled. “Hey, accidents happen. I left her too close to my alarm clock once when I was seven or eight I think. Luckily it was a clean break so you probably can’t even tell where it was glued together that first time.” She smiled sheepishly.

“Stuff like that adds character, I think. When you pass it down to your kids - if you decide to have kids, you can tell them about their silly old Aunt Michelle’s clumsiness.” Michelle giggled again, mostly at the thought of being an aunt someday.

Taylor only being nine hadn’t had much time to decide which she liked boys or girls, ignoring that part. “So um. you’re not mad that I broke her?”

“Of course not Sweet Pea. Like I said, accidents happen.” She grinned and leaned over to kiss Taylor’s forehead. “I’m not like Mom. I know how hard she could be to live with sometimes, and I promise never to yell at you, even if you get in trouble at school or whatever. Doesn’t mean you can just get away with anything, but I won’t make you feel like...” she trailed off. “Well, let’s just leave it at “I won’t yell.” She smiled again.

Taylor nodded. “Like daddy did when I broke the plate when I was trying to be good and wash the dishes for them? He told me I was worthless.” She frowned sadly.

Michelle frowned as she stopped, turning to pull Taylor into a hug. “Oh honey... He couldn’t have been more wrong. Having you back in my life is the most precious, wonderful gift I could have ever received. From what Auntie told me, they were having problems in their marriage anyway, and … Well I’ll tell you the rest when you’re older, but I promise it wasn’t anything to do with you.”

Taylor nodded, “I’m just glad Tiffany was able to find you Michelle.”

“God, me too.” She smiled sadly. “I hate that I’ll never get to reconcile with our parents, but … if it means getting you to a better place, then that’s okay.”

Taylor grinned and stretched out her cast arm and poked Michelle, “I will always love and aspire to be like my big sissy!”

Michelle giggled as she tousled Taylor’s hair. It was nice hearing that term used in a positive way instead of being hurled as some kind of insult. She grinned as she slowly stroked Taylor’s hair. “And I’ll always love and protect you, even when you’re all grown up. I’m never abandoning you again.”

“Michelle, did you call the internet people to get us on before they closed?”

“Sure did. They said that if their tech has time it should be done by five today, but if not, either tomorrow or Monday. They said that since it’s already set up, and we’re buying our own equipment, that all he’d need to do is just inspect the outside junction for integrity and have them flip a switch. Which reminds me, you can set up an email account with them if you want an At Alpine Springs dot net address.”

Taylor nodded, “Sure, then I can email my new friends Megan and Trisha, and we don’t always have to be on the phone!”

Michelle giggled. “It’ll be nice to be online again. There are a few people probably wondering if I fell off the face of the earth.”

“When was LeAnne supposed to meet us at the new house?” Taylor looked a bit concerned.

“She didn’t say, but she might drop by to say hi depending on how her internship roster works out, but she’s too polite to just show up. She’ll totally call first,” she added. “LeAnne’s a very Southern girl like that. It’s one of her endearing qualities.”

Just as Michelle finished her cell phone started to ring the song ‘If I Can’t Love Her’ from ‘Beauty and the Beast’. She blinked, digging it out of her purse. “Hello?”

“Hey Michelle, I got a few of the guys from the men's dorm with a truck. We’re waitin’ outside the house for your happy butt, girl, whenever you're ready to come let me in.” LeAnne giggled.

Michelle started laughing. “Okay, sweetie, you know I love you, but your timing is frightening. I was literally JUST talking about you! We’ll be there in about five minutes. We’re finishing up some grocery shopping.”

After they hung up Michelle looked over at Taylor and winked. “Don’t tell LeAnne that’s the ringtone I have for her ok? I kinda have a crush on her, but I think she prefers men.”

Taylor giggled, smiling innocently. “My lips are sealed!”

“Thank you sweet pea.” Michelle blushed as she took over the cart and went to the check out, “LeAnne has this knack, of being early, and that southern accent of hers, she needs to stop it or she's going to distract me from my life.” Michelle giggled.

Taylor giggled softly. “Oh gosh. And she’s a med student, so you guys probably have lots to talk about too.”

“A lot. We have almost all the same classes ever since she switched her minor over to Biomed. I think there are two we don’t share, and she was the first person I met at Yale. She showed me around campus.” Michelle smiled as she paid for the food and pushed the cart out to the car.

“Hey, um, what’s it like to love someone?” Taylor asked, somewhat out of the blue, but in a way, as a natural evolution of their conversation.

“It sets your heart a flutter when you're around them, you get all tingly but that usually happens with the person you were meant to be with forever, that's what Auntie told me when I was your age.” Michelle smiled.

“Ohh,” Taylor answered thoughtfully. “Well maybe things’ll work out for you guys then. I still won’t say anything though.”

“Thank you sweet pea, I just don’t want our friendship to get ruined, We are friends first, and if she doesn’t feel the same way about me, then it might ruin what we have now, but that might be too complicated for you to understand just yet.” Michelle smiled and kissed her sister's forehead as she started to put the food in the trunk.

Taylor smiled thoughtfully. She might have been a kid, but she certainly understood. “How old were you when you got your first crush?” she asked, giggling.

“I was your age sweetie, a boy in my class named Eric Fuller, but well it didn’t end well I got beat up for it.” Michelle frowned.

“Ouch,” Taylor flinched. “Just wondering,” she added.

“Taylor sweetie, if you like boys, it’s ok for you. When I was pretending to be a boy, it wasn’t. You won't get beat up for liking them.” Michelle smiled.

“Um, well... That’s the thing,” Taylor blushed brightly. “I’m not really sure if I like boys or girls yet.”

“Take your time sweetie, I won't judge you if you like girls or boys.” Michelle kissed Taylor’s forehead again, “Ok hop in the car sweet pea, we got a Southern belle to meet.”

Taylor hopped in the car, quietly pulling her seat belt across. “Thanks for the advice,” she said with a small smile as Michelle got in on the driver’s side. “I think you’re right,” she added with a giggle.

Michelle nodded, “I’m not the best for giving relationship advice; I had four failed relationships in the past, but if you ever need advice on the medications a doctor gives you, I can tell you down to the basics what every chemical are in them.” she giggled, “Your sister the medical nerd.”

Taylor laughed. “Hey, at least you have a passion. Megan plays violin, Trisha’s into soccer AND she’s a genius. I never really had a passion. I guess because I never had a chance to find out what really interests me.”

“I think you should get into a sport if you're interested, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I do think you will have a lot of fun as a Girl scout.” Michelle smiled as they drove off to their house.

“Oh yeah, Megan said she and Trisha are going to help me get caught up on my merit badges when I join!”

Michelle pulled the car up in the driveway and parked it, getting out. “Hey LeAnne, Let me open the door so these horny men can get your stuff in and leave.” giggling at that.

LeAnne rolled her eyes and laughed. “Aw, you guys ain’t ALL helping me just for a chance to tap this southern comfort are ya?” she teased. “Scott’d have something to say about that anyway. So where’s the little sister you’ve been talking my ear off about?”

Michelle winked. “Shes in the car. We got some food in the trunk, clothes in the back and some electronics. The cable guy wasn’t here while you were waiting was he?” Michelle looked hopeful.

“Sure was. He said to tell you that the juncture looks brand new, whatever that means, and he left you this.” LeAnne offered her a folded piece of paper. “Said you’d know what to do with it. It’s all gibberish to me. Passwords and wiring and whatnot. I can hotwire an EKG machine to roast marshmallows, but I don’t know anything about this computer mess.” She giggled softly in her sweet, southern drawl.

“Momma’ll die when she sees this house by the way. She thought the one she and Sarah got was big!”

“You know I know a little about computers from the Labs, I can work my way around a Lab Equipment all day, but some of these computer stuff goes over my head, I just know that some things are better then others.” Michelle giggled, “Oh and we have the fastest high speed in town supposedly.”

“Wow, that’s great. We had decent wireless back at the dorm, so long as it wasn’t during primetime. Made getting online labs done pure hell,” LeAnne giggled. “Oh, I’m not sure what to do with my stuff. It’s mostly clothes since the dorm came pre-furnished, but I did bring my tie-dye bean bag chair. It’s been with me since my junior year of high school, so I couldn’t abandon it now.”

“Thats fine. There are plenty of empty rooms on the second floor. The pink room is Taylor’s and the master is got my stuff in it.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne casually smiled at the college-aged boys standing around the truckload of furniture. “You heard the lady. Just stick everything in the first available bedroom. I can’t thank y’all enough for helping out on such short notice. I promise to bring some of Momma’s roast beef back to New Haven tomorrow as payment.”

The guys just chuckled, and the big guy who was in the driver seat nodded, “Hey LeAnne, no problem. You know I owe you after you helped my kid sister,” then he chuckled again, “And these other bozos wouldn’t be doing anything other then playing Xbox 360.”

LeAnne giggled. “Aw, I was happy to help.” LeAnne turned back to Michelle. “So while they’re unloading the truck, need any help with the groceries?”

“Sure, there’s a lot of bags in the trunk and the back seat. The back seat is full of Taylor’s stuff, and our new laptops.” Michelle giggled as she unlocked the house door for the guys and opened her car trunk for the food, not letting Taylor take anything heavy.

“I hope you don’t mind that I came out early. When I told Linda about the big news she told me to go straight home and get the housing stuff situated, that I could come back in tomorrow if I really wanted the extra credit that badly.” She giggled.

“That was nice of Linda. I’m going to teach Taylor how to make chocolate chip cookies tonight so you should take some to her tomorrow.” Michelle smiled as they unloaded the car, taking Taylors Clothes up to her room, showing LeAnne, where her new bedroom was, two down from Taylor and right next to hers.

“Y’know, I’m officially jealous,” LeAnne teased, grinning at Taylor. “I love my sister Sarah to death, but I swear she has about as much interest in cooking as I do in learning to knit. I guess she’s just burnt out because Mom and I both love it so much.”

Michelle laughed at that. “I tried to Knit once. Our Aunt tried to teach me, but I couldn’t knit my way out of a paper bag.”

“My scarf turned out looking like it’d been through a corn thresher - twice.” LeAnne laughed, but paused as her phone started ringing to the tune of Aerosmith’s “Deuces are Wild”. “Oh, that’s my boyfriend’s ringtone,” she bubbled, stepping out into the hallway. “Hey babe, what’s up?”

“Hey LeAnne, Um, I got some bad news for you hon.” Scott sounded a bit distant.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” she asked, a little concern entering her voice.

“I hate to do this over the phone LeAnne, but um Christina from my Marine Biology class and I are going to Alaska for a class project, and well, um sorry LeAnne I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a total asshole, but um, well, we’ve kinda been talking and I think we should take a break.”

“You sonuvabitch. You knew I wouldn’t be in New Haven today. You KNEW I’d be moving and you chose now to break up with me, and over the phone? I hope you and your little tart are VERY happy together. Don’t even think about calling me again!” she shouted.

“But LeAnne...” Scott tried to get out as LeAnne slammed her phone shut and Michelle stepped out into the hallway.

“That... that... GAH!” she screamed, throwing her phone so hard it bounced off the far wall and down the stairs at the end of the hall. “Six months, Michelle. He chased me for six months before I finally said yes, and now he’s going to Alaska with some girl named Christina. He broke up with me over my phone!” she sighed, turning to rest her head against the wall, trying her hardest not to cry in front of her friend and her friend’s little sister.

“Oh God LeAnne, I'd go get us some drinks, but you know they would frown on that because of my age.” Michelle hugged LeAnne.

LeAnne turned to hug Michelle, shaking her head. “It’s okay. I’ve never been a heavy drinker anyway. I’m sorry Michelle. I shouldn’t have told the as--” she paused to correct herself “The jerk that I’d be here. Then at least he’d have had to man up and do this in person instead of ruining everyone else’s day.”

“You didn’t ruin our day LeAnne. I don’t drink much either, but hey I do have some ice cream if you‘d like some.” Michelle went back downstairs and dished up a big bowl of double chocolate ice cream, and poured on some chocolate syrup and brought the bowl and a spoon up to LeAnne, “Here you go, this might make things go a bit more smoothly the rest of the day.”

LeAnne laughed a little as she accepted the bowl, wrapping her free hand around Michelle and resting her head on the younger girl’s shoulder for a moment. “Thanks sweetie. You know me too well. It’s just so not like him. He was so patient with my friends first rule, and now this...”

“You know the last two guys I was with were the same way, chased me, we hooked up, pretended to follow my rules and when I refused to put out for them, I was dumped like a spoiled petri dish.”

LeAnne giggled around a mouthful of ice cream. “Oh gawd, that’s perfect. I really thought Scott was different, but now that you mention it...” She trailed off again then sighed. “I guess love really is blind. And stupid.”

Michelle giggled, “Hold that thought. I need to see how Taylor’s getting on with setting up her laptop.”

LeAnne nodded. “I should go see where my phone landed anyway. Good thing I was going to get a new one soon.”

“Hey, with paying less by staying here you can afford one of those new Droids you’ve been drooling over at coffee the last few weeks.” Michelle giggled as she stepped into Taylor’s room.

Taylor sat cross-legged on her bed with her laptop in front of her. She smiled up at Michelle. “Everything okay?” She paused to flinch. “I know that’s like, the stupid question to ask, but I didn’t want to eavesdrop.” She giggled.

“Yeah sweet pea, her boyfriend broke up with her in a bad way, but she’s ok now, How’s the laptop?” Michelle smiled.

“Ouch,” Taylor answered with a frown, but smiled a moment later. “It’s great. I’m still figuring out what buttons do what though.”

“I’m going to go downstairs and get us on the net shortly Sweet Pea. You can set your room up, and meet me downstairs. I’ll start dinner afterwards, and then we can learn to make cookies.” Michelle giggled.

“Sounds great!” Taylor answered, pausing to add, “But... if LeAnne needs you, that’s okay too.”

“Sweet Pea, LeAnne is a doll, and I have some pretty strong feelings for her, and she’s hurting right now, but I think seeing us happy will help her out a lot.” Michelle smiled as she leaned over and kissed Taylor on the forehead once again.

Taylor smiled as she wrapped her free arm around Michelle’s neck, kissing her cheek. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for me. I’d be so lost without you right now.”

“Hey sweet pea, don’t mention it ok? I’m your big sister. I would be a cold hearted shrew if I left you alone in this world.” Michelle smiled and held Taylor for a moment. “I best get downstairs and get us hooked up sweetie, so we can eat.”

Taylor nodded and smiled as she returned her attention to her laptop, plugging her iPod into it to see if it would read it automatically.

Michelle smiled, as she turned around and left Taylor to play with her new toys, and walked out into the hallway towards the stairs, seeing LeAnne standing at the top, “Hey hows your phone?”

“It’s, um, a lost cause,” LeAnne smiled sheepishly as she held up a broken case and about a dozen little parts in one hand.

“Damn LeAnne, you’re stronger then you look. Remind me not to ever piss you off.” Michelle giggled as she teased.

LeAnne laughed. “My kick is worse than my punch. I used to study ballet when I was younger, and my poor calves just never recovered.”

“I’m into horseback riding myself, you know? I was thinking about picking Taylor up a pony, and maybe a horse or two with some of our inheritance money.” Michelle smiled.

“Aww, that sounds great! I know Sarah went on endlessly about how much fun horseback riding was at her girl scout camp this last year.” She hesitated a moment. “Hey, um, need any help with dinner?”

“Sure. I told Taylor I was going to hook up our internet first, then start on dinner, I’m not really sure what to make tonight, but I know it’s not hot dogs. I got so worn out on those.”

LeAnne laughed to herself, her cheeks turning just slightly red. “Yeah, I just really want to talk. Doesn’t matter where. And I don’t care if I never see another hot dog just right now.” she added.

“Hey it’s cool, we are friends are we not?” Michelle answered as she gathered the electronics boxes on her way downstairs,. “And friends talk, and share things with each other - at least we did the last time I checked,” she teased.

LeAnne smiled a little as she nodded, following. “I’ve never been good with relationship stuff. It’s why I waited so long to accept Scott’s lies. I don’t want to just have sex and screw around, y’know?”

“You know I suck at them too, I had something like what just happened to you happen to me. Remember when we first met, and I was looking kinda lost and down in the dumps and you showed me around campus?” Michelle giggled as they went into the den.

“Sure. You looked kinda like I did the first day I arrived here, after leaving Arkansas. I didn’t really have anybody to show me around so I figured this was my chance to give someone else a nice start.”

“Weeell, I had already been to the campus - several times. I just didn’t have the heart to tell you.” Michelle giggled, “My ex, Trevor, called me fifteen minutes before you showed up and broke up with me saying a long distance relationship would never work.”

LeAnne frowned. “Wow. I’m sorry. Talk about a line though.”

“Two cities over, and he called it a long distance relationship. Bah! I swore off men after that.” Michelle blushed but tried to hide it, turning away to work on the cable setup as she giggled.

“Well for me, I dunno... I like guys insomuch as I find them fun to look at, but when it comes to relationships it’s like they all want one thing... I swear sometimes I wonder if my sister’s got it figured out.” She trailed off, blushing a little.

“Yeah that’s all Trevor wanted tio, to get between my legs. I haven’t dated since then.” Michelle sighed as she started to hook up the coax to the wall mount, and the cable box to the other end.

LeAnne leaned against the wall and watched Michelle work her magic. “For me, I... Well, I love my Momma to death, but I don’t want to make her mistakes. She married young, and it took Dad screwing up so bad that she divorced him to get her life back on track, long after Sarah was born. I wanna focus on college and my career, but I don’t really want to be alone while I do it. I just want... I want a relationship that’s built on friendship, y’know? So there’s no pressure for sex when I’m not ready for that step yet.”

Michelle nodded, “You know about me right? I mean I think I told you my story. But I’m the same way. I have to get used to some things first, but I want a companion - someone there to be with me when things are down, and when things are up. I know I got Taylor, but she's my kid sister. I don’t want to dump that kind of pressure on her when she needs to be a kid first.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I think what you’re doing for her is incredible. I’d do the same thing if it was me and Sarah honestly.”

“My Aunt left me a lot of money, and her ranch netted me a lot more, and I think mom and dad will net Taylor and I enough money to remain comfortable for a very long time.” Michelle smiled, “So it’s the least I can do for her.”

LeAnne nodded. “Well... Here’s the thing. I um, I kind of accidentally overheard you talking to Taylor. I was gonna ask if you wanted me to start dinner because you know I feel better when I’m cooking, gives me something to focus on. I was just on my way back downstairs when you came out. I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Michelle blushed brightly. “Oh God you weren't supposed to hear that. Um, but it’s true, I get all those weird gooey feelings when I’m near you LeAnne, I just put them away, because I want to be your friend more then anything.”

LeAnne smiled a little as she nodded. “And that’s why we’re even having this conversation. Unlike Scott, hell, unlike every guy I’ve been with, you’ve been bottling this stuff up to protect our friendship instead of charging in like an old hound trailing a fox.” She giggled softly.

“You're the first girl I’ve ever really felt like this with as well. I always thought myself to be straight as an arrow.” Michelle giggled. “But now that you know how I feel I hope it doesn’t change our friendship. I couldn’t stand losing you as my bff.”

LeAnne smiled as she knelt beside Michelle and wrapped her in a hug. “I’ll be honest with you. Right now I know that I’m talking out of hurt, I’m feeling vulnerable, and I know that anything I say now, I’d only second guess later. I can’t do that to you. I refuse to hurt you just because I need a security blanket right now, but like I said before, part of me’s wondering if my sister’s got this stuff figured out.” She blushed again.

“From what you tell me of Sarah, I think she's got more smarts than the both of us combined. And that’s saying a lot, but as I said, no rush, no pushing, lets just be best friends like we have been, when the water settles we can see where the boat is sailing from there?” Michelle smiled.

“I agree completely. This isn’t a ‘no’, just so you know.” She smiled and kissed Michelle’s forehead, hugging her again. “Thank you for being a real friend.”

“Hey you did it for me when we first met, except you were a bit more forceful.” Michelle giggled as she setup the router. “After dinner I’ll finish setting the rest of it up.”

“That’s fine. You and Taylor can make cookies like you promised her.” She grinned. “I’m gonna go over to see Momma after dinner. Sarah’s either in Ireland or heading there soon - I forget which, but I could really use a good mother-daughter talk today.”

“That’s fine. It’s nice to be close to your Mom and Sister again?” Michelle asked. “That’s really the whole reason I asked if you wanted to move in. I promise it had nothing to do with how I feel about you.”

LeAnne laughed. “Oh, I believe you. Mostly because you’ve literally never given me any reason to doubt you. I guess that’s why I’m not more upset. Part of me kinda knew this was coming. I just didn’t want to accept it.”

“I never would either LeAnne. Friends first sweetie, always.” Michelle smiled as they both went into the kitchen to scope out what to make for dinner.

LeAnne giggled a little. “Gawd, this kitchen’s amazing. I haven’t had a real kitchen with anything beyond a piece of crap stove and a 700 watt microwave in like, two years.”

“It’s a damn professional kitchen. It looks like something you would see in Gordon Ramsay's house.” Michelle giggled.

“Yeah, I mean check out this blender. Is this thing a BlendTec? Wow. It is! Maybe I should throw my phone in there along with a picture of Scott and put it on youtube.” She laughed.

Michelle giggled, “Maybe we should kidnap Scott and put him in there instead,” she said teasingly, trying to make LeAnne feel better.

LeAnne laughed. “Believe me, I’d like nothing better right now than to make a nice, penis smoothie and shove it down his throat.” She sighed thoughtfully. “I guess it’s for the best. Better to be dumped than to get a disease, right?”

“Yeah who knows what the girl he hooked up with has, and if you were still with him he’d be sharing it with you right now.” Michelle sighed.

“Gawd!” LeAnne cringed. “Freddie and Jason move over. There’s a new nightmare!” She giggled, and even smiled a little.

Michelle giggled , “You know I hate Jason, but Freddie on the other hand, could kick some butt, I’m also a huge fan of Aliens, but hey, nobody's perfect.” pulling out some chicken from the freezer.

LeAnne laughed. “I’ll be brutally honest with you. Jason X - or whatever it was - the one where he’s in space, was probably the only one I actually liked. Freddie gave me nightmares as a kid, but I gotta agree with you, he was awesome. And I’ll overlook your exobiological interest if you’ll forgive me for liking the Silent Evil movie. I know it ran against the established story or whatever, but for a video game-based movie, that was some scary stuff.” She giggled. “Well, that and Alien Vs Predator kicked some major bootie.”

“Hey I liked that series as well, and no getting Xenophobic on me.” Michelle stuck her tongue out as she grabbed some fresh veggies and some other things to make for dinner.

LeAnne giggled. “Okay, I know the true test of friendship,” she began, as she started some fresh batter for the chicken. “I’ve never told anybody this because it’s just so completely embarrassing. I liked that campy Street Fighter movie - the one with Raul Julia. Everyone else hates it, but I thought for what it was - a bad, campy-ass movie - that it was so awful it was good. Oh do you like a lot of seasoning in your chicken?”

“Raul Julia was also Gomez Addams in the Addams family. Street fighter was was a good movie, and yes I love southern style chicken! My aunt used to make it all the time.” Michelle winked.

“Finger-lickin’ fried chicken,” she replied with a grin. “I swear people come up to my mother all the time and say things like ‘I never liked okra until I tried it southern-fried!’” or “Who knew tomatoes could be so good when they’re still green!” She giggled, and added a bit of pepper to the batter mix.

“Taylor has some getting used to if we are both going to be cooking.” Michelle giggled as she started to peel some carrots.

LeAnne giggled. “I’ll let you do the cooking if you want. Tonight I just needed something to keep me from getting in my car and nailing Scott’s ass to a wall somewhere.”

“Oh God no, We can share the duty, I’m not some kitchen hog or anything.” Michelle giggled, “Besides I think we are working good together right now, just like in class labs.”

LeAnne grinned over at Michelle, dabbing just a little bit of flour on the tip of her nose. “Except I can’t do that in labs unless I want to burn your face off,” she teased, and started laughing.

Michelle crossed her eyes and looked at the tip of her nose. “Oh no you didn’t just do that.” Giggling she grabbed a little and returned the favor.

“Ack! Hey!” she laughed, wrinkling her nose. “God, I knew being your roommate would be fun. I kind of wish Stephanie was here, but like she said, you only get the chance to study abroad once in your life if you’re even that lucky.”

“She’s lucky, no doubt. She got to go to Scotland. I went to Mexico in high school for exchange, and I had a lot of fun down there. ‘Course it doesn’t hurt to speak the language fluently.” Michelle giggled as she wiped her nose off and pulled a pan from one of the cabinets to steam boil the veggies.

LeAnne began to dip and roll the chicken in the sticky batter as she nodded. “I had a couple of Latino friends in high school, but it wasn’t really the same thing. I’d have loved to actually visit Mexico. They did teach me a little Spanish though, and a few choice swear words of course,” she added with a laugh.

Michelle giggled, and without thinking, “Maybe you can I can go to Mexico on vacation sometime.”

“That would be amazing,” LeAnne bubbled. “I’m only at Yale on scholarship though. There’s no way I could ever afford it, at least until I graduate. Linda says if I keep scoring brownie points volunteering that there’s no way the hospital won’t hire me right out of college after I finish med school though.”

“I am on a Scholarship as well, from Mensa, but yeah, um, I offered to take you, I’d pay for it LeAnne.” Michelle blushed as she started to chop the carrots for the steamer.

LeAnne walked up next to Michelle. Her fingers were covered in chicken batter, so she simply leaned her head against Michelle’s shoulder. “How come you’re so great?” she giggled.

“I’m not that great. I just never had any girl friends growing up, never did anything cool like that with them, or anything. Being smart kinda got me beat up a lot.” Michelle sighed as she put an arm around LeAnne for a hug.

“Oh,” LeAnne frowned softly. “I’m sorry. I guess I never thought about … I mean, I’ve only ever known you as this pretty, funny, giving person. Your being about ten times as smart as me never really entered the equation.” She giggled again, leaning into Michelle’s hug with a warm smile.

“I don’t like to brag about it, that’s why LeAnne. I try really hard to not look the part as well.” Michelle smiled brightly.

“Ohh, so that’s why you look like a lightning rod, huh?” she teased, and pretend-flinched. “Just teasing!”

Michelle giggled, “Yup, someday you will find out all about everywhere I got pierced.” She blushed a bit, sticking out her pierced tongue. “I’ve kept that one hidden from Taylor pretty well. It’s bad enough she knows about the navel ring.”

“Oh wow. How did I never notice that before? I guess because I just don’t pay that much attention, but doesn’t that hurt?”

“Nobody really does, and no it doesn’t hurt. It stung like you wouldn’t believe for a moment or two when I first got it, and I had a heck of a time with the Letter S and W.” Michelle smiled. “But the other piercings are kinda private so I won't be showing those to you,” she finished, blushing again.

“Oh wow,” LeAnne giggled to herself as she reached up to open a cupboard. “Odd place to keep pans, but that’ll work,” she added, reaching up to take down a large non-stick frying pan.

“Most all this was here when we bought the place, I haven’t really bothered to see how much they left behind.” Michelle shrugged, as she put the chopped carrots into her steaming pot and smiled.

LeAnne giggled. “Oh, I was just thinking outloud. I’m used to Momma’s kitchen order system. Everything in its place - she’s a little OCD.” LeAnne grinned. “I guess it rubbed off on me.”

“Well if you want to re-organize it, I don’t have any issues. I mean you live here too, so you have every right to.” Michelle smiled.

“Oh um LeAnna, when I go into Kingsley tomorrow, and get a moving company to move the contents of the old house to the three car outside, want me to pick you up a new cell phone?” Michelle grinned, “I can drop it off at the hospital for you.”

“That’d be great,” LeAnne answered, blushing slightly. “I’ll draw out some money for you while I’m out tonight.”

“Oh no, you can pay me back later for it. I don’t need you to do that right now, It’s not like Taylor or I will ever be hurting for money.” Michelle winked.

“Yeah, but it’s the principle of the thing,” she argued, but smiled. “I will pay you back eventually.”

“I know, but you need that money right now. Taylor would tell you the exact same thing, Wouldn't you Taylo?.” Michelle smiled at her sweet pea as she came down the stairs smelling the food.

“What? I wasn’t eavesdropping!” Taylor answered with a giggle. “God that smells so good.”

“Nobody accused you of eavesdropping sweet pea; I was just telling LeAnne that we could afford to get her a new cell phone, and she didn’t have to pay us back right away because she needed the money, and I told her as well that you would agree with that.” Michelle smiled and winked at LeAnne.

“Oh, heck yeah,” Taylor giggled. “Between the money from insurance, selling my old house, and the funding my social worker’s providing money’s the least of our worries.”

LeAnne smiled as she wrapped an arm around Taylor, giving her a careful hug. “You’re both so sweet. I guess it runs in the family.” She grinned.

“Do you see why I call her sweet pea?” Michelle giggled, “But you forgot Auntie’s estate and our inheritance from her as well, so we really really are not hurting for money and probably never will be.”

“Good lord,” LeAnne laughed and shook her head. “I thought my sister was doing well after the big settlement. As long as you let me kick in a little for food and utilities.”

“That was the original agreement right? I’ll let you pitch in a little for food and utils, but I’m going to put you on my cell phone plan like I did for Taylor.” Michelle winked.

LeAnne smiled thoughtfully. “And I’ll find some way to make all this up to you.” She giggled. “With Stephanie it was an even split because we were both starving college students. Since you don’t need money though there’s gotta be something I can do.”

She paused to step away from the gas stove, grabbing a fork, which she used to pry off a small piece of chicken, handing the fork to Taylor. “Let me know what you think? It’s Colonel Margaret Cameron’s original recipe,” she teased.

Taylor smiled and took the fork tasting it, “Oh my! You’re hired.” she giggled, “That was delicious.”

LeAnne giggled. “Now you see why Mom’s restaurant is already the second most successful in Alpine Springs. Southern food done right is just amazing. It was the one thing I missed about leaving home as much as I missed my family.”

Michelle and Taylor both nodded, “I love southern food, but it’s not as good as traditional mexican. Oh, um, no offense LeAnne.” Michelle winked.

LeAnne laughed. “Ohh, none taken. My friend Angelina, back when I was growing up in Arkansas had some family recipes that were just to die for. Gawd I miss that girl,” she giggled. “Wonder whatever happened to her.”

Michelle grabbed the chopped carrots out of the homemade steamer, and put some more in placing it down then she went over next to LeAnne, “You could always look her up, the internet is a wonderful tool.” Taylor giving them both a look over.

“You told her didn’t you Michelle!” Taylor giggled, happy for her sister to get her secret out to her friend.

“Told me what?” LeAnne asked, glancing at Michelle.

Taylor frowned. “She didn’t tell you LeAnne?” then she looked at Michelle, “I’m sorry.” Her face fell because she broke her promise to her sister about not saying anything to LeAnne, waiting to get yelled at even though Michelle said she never would.

LeAnne slowly looked between the two and blinked. Michelle stared in thought for a moment. “Um, what didn’t I tell her? I told her about studying in Mexico for a while?” she asked, taking a shot in the dark.

Taylor just remained silent because now she felt really bad about breaking her promise.

“I need to use the bathroom really quick,” LeAnne suddenly said, shooting Michelle a soft smile and a wink. ‘Would you mind watching the chicken?”

“Sure thing LeAnne.” Michelle winked back.

LeAnne smiled as she lightly patted Taylor’s shoulder, stepping out into the hallway and disappearing. Apparently she really did have to go.

“I’m not mad at you sweet pea, and I didn’t tell her, but did figure it out on her own. She heard us talking, and apparently she's ok with it, but we are just going to remain friends for now, ok?” Michelle smiled.

“Oh thank God,” Taylor exhaled, fighting tears. “I just knew I’d screwed up. But you guys are just so cute together.”

“Taylor sweet pea, you shouldn’t swear, it’s not becoming of such a lovely young lady, and I’d rather not risk losing LeAnne as a friend so I can wait for her to get over Scott before we discuss anything like a relationship.” Michelle smiled at her sister.

“I’m sooo sorry,” Taylor whimpered, hugging Michelle.

Michelle hugged Taylor back carefully. “No need to be sorry sweet pea. I know what you’ve been through was rough, so you're excused on the foul language for right now, and you didn’t do any harm when you asked if I told LeAnne how I felt about her.” Michelle kissed Taylor’s forehead.

LeAnne crept back into the room and gently hugged Taylor. “Truth be told, I’m more afraid of hurting your sister than anything. I care about her so much.”

Taylor smiled at the two, “But you two are so cute together, I’d love to have two mo... sisters.” she started to giggling.

LeAnne blushed brightly, but giggled as well. “We’ll see what happens, but you can always think of me as a sister if you want. As long as you don’t mind being related to two mischievous twins and a redhead who seems to get into far more trouble here than back in Arkansas,” she added with a laugh.

Taylor shook her head, “I met Beth and Em. I like them. They’re both nice to me, so I don’t mind.” as she smiled.

“They’re both great girls. And their dad’s a nice guy too.” She paused for just a moment and giggled, glancing at Michelle. “So you really thought we were dating?”

Taylor nodded her head, “I thought Michelle asked you and you said yes, the way you to get close to each other all the time without thinking about it.”

LeAnne blushed softly. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it. When I’m not thinking about it is when I … Um, well...” she stumbled over her own tongue and shook her head, trying hard not to giggle.

Taylor giggled, “Sorry LeAnne, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Oh sweetie, I’m not upset. Just real confused. Let’s put it another way... I like Michelle a lot, and I’ve always enjoyed spending time with her. She’s my best friend-”

Michelle quickly interrupted, “And we make great Lab Partners in Bio Med.”

LeAnne laughed. “Yeah. We make great chemistry together,” she shot back and grinned.

“That’s what Professor Shelton tells us all the time, ‘You two make great Chemistry, if you get to much closer you might blow up the lab.’” Michelle started to laugh, causing LeAnne to lose it and start giggling too, Taylor looked a tiny bit confused about the Science jokes.

“Whatever happens... We both want what’s best for you first, and what’s best for our friendship, but once things settle down we’ll see what happens.”

Taylor nodded, “Michelle is concerned about your friendship as well. So at least now you both know you care about each other. Maybe it will work out for the best?”

LeAnne smiled thoughtfully as she ran her fingers through Taylor’s hair. “Nobody who’s ever been interested in me has gone so far out of their way to protect me from getting hurt. Even if nothing else comes of this, I can honestly say I feel closer to you than I have to anyone outside my family because of that.” She smiled at Michelle and leaned her head on her shoulder.

Michelle smiled and wrapped an arm around LeAnne. “Thats because you mean a lot to me LeAnne, I’d probably go drag Scott through hot coals if I knew where he was at the moment and if I had some hot coals...” She started giggling again.

“He’s probably in the girls’ dorm “studying” with Christina,” LeAnne laughed.

“Christina Apple? Blonde, wears slutty clothes?”

“Changes her eye color about once a week with cheap, fake contact lenses?”

“Fake t..boobs, big fat a.. butt? Michelle grinned.

“That’s her,” LeAnne nodded.

Michelle’s eyes watered as she laughed. “I’m sorry LeAnne. I swear I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at Scott. I went to high school with Fake boobs. She is the biggest s.. bicycle that I’ve ever met in my life. She slept with just about anything with a penis.”

“Oh Christ. How much do you want to bet I get a call by the end of the week begging to take him back after she dumped him for a local boy right off the plane?”

“I bet you do, but after he sleeps with her I would not touch that man with a ten foot pole.” Michelle giggled. “But yeah, a few of the girls in school can prove she slept with a lot of guys, and even did a lot of nasty things in the girls bathroom with some as well.”

LeAnne playfully covered Taylor’s ears then giggled. “That’s just so many levels of nasty I don’t even know where to begin. How does someone like that get into a prestigious school like Yale University?” She paused, and her eyes went wide. “And please don’t tell me she slept with a member of the board.”

“Rich parents, Alumni, and a few other things I can think of.” Michelle frowned.

“Gaaaah. I think Scott did me a favor dumping me,” she laughed. “I mean, I’m still rightly pi-- furious at him for betraying me, but if that’s the kinda trash he’s interested in... I got no time for that kind of crap. I got into Yale on my grades alone, and I’m here to get a good degree, y’know?”

“Yup me too. I want to get into finding new hormone and maybe gene therapy for people who suffer with Gender Identity Disorder.” Michelle smiled. “That’s what my Bio Med Engineering major is for.”

LeAnne smiled at that. “You know Stephanie was constantly trying to get me to take a couple of gender studies courses. I’m glad I finally did.”

“I’m glad I’m taking those classes myself. I’ve learned a lot I didn’t already know.” Michelle and LeAnne seemed to do it again, standing right next to each other, extremely close.

“I’m not really at liberty to talk about it because it’s kinda an accident that I even know about it, but there’s a transgendered teen girl that lives here in Alpine Springs, that if you met her, you honestly would never know. She’s an amazing, outgoing girl girl. I’d even call her ‘All-American’.”

Michelle nodded her head, “I know all about her if it’s who I think it is. I was in for her surgeries, as part of my summer course.”

“Wow. You were actually in the OR? Kelly asked me if I wanted to observe, but I turned her down. It was when I had that nasty summer cold, and I didn’t want to de-sterilize the room,” she giggled.

“Yes, I was. They were doing an experimental surgery on her and wanted me there because um, nevermind.” Michelle blushed deeply.

LeAnne frowned a little, but nodded, as if to say ‘I won’t push the subject’. “Since you’ve met her I guess I can go ahead and admit that she and Sarah are really close through Girl Scouts. She’s a big part of why Sarah’s living here now. I’ve only met her a couple of times, but I think her courage is amazing.”

“Well that’s cool. She’s a really sweet young lady, and we took very good care of her. Her recovery time should be a lot shorter because of the procedure.” Michelle grinned. “It was kind of neat to be part of something like that, to help someone that has helped a lot of other people.”

“That’s exactly why I want to be a doctor,” LeAnne replied cheerfully.

“Both of us are going towards doctorates, but I’m not sure our fields will be the same, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll always be there to support you when you need help.” Michelle smiled. LeAnne sighed happily as she set the last of the seared-to-perfection fried chicken on a platter. Rather than taking it to the table though, she simply set it aside and turned off the burner.

Michelle finished the carrots and started to steam some fresh broccoli. “I figured chicken and fresh steamed veggies would be ok for tonight, unless you have another idea.”

“No, this is perfect. I literally had a bowl of Ramen for dinner last night and not much else.”

“I had hospital food, then we ate some McD’s.” Michelle grinned, “Which I know isn’t healthy but Taylor deserved it after what she had to go through.”

LeAnne nodded. “Hey, you’ve gotta spoil her once in awhile, right?” she asked, grinning at Taylor.

“I think so, but we have three other girls we have to spoil some time or another as well.” Michelle smiled at LeAnne.

“Four if you count Sarah’s girlfriend,” LeAnne added and giggled.

“Oh that’s right Sarah is dating a girl named Katelyn right? You told me and I totally forgot.” Michelle sighed.

“I thought you remembered everything?” LeAnne teased, giving Michelle’s sides a gentle squeeze as she passed.

“Hey I do, but when you’re standing so close to me”, Michelle giggled, “I can’t be pressed to remember my own name,” giving LeAnne a wink and a squeal.

“Sorry,” she giggled. “I’m trying really hard, but it seems like my subconscious mind doesn’t want to listen. What would Steph call it? Repressed subconsciousness acting out in an extension of … Oh, blah. I never was any good at her psychoanalysis.” She giggled again.

Michelle nodded, “Stephanie the Psych major, sweet pea, if you date girls or even guys, when you get to college stay away from Psych majors because, wow. They are really interesting, but they do make great friends. Even if they try to charge you when you talk to them.” Michelle laughed.

LeAnne started laughing. “Stephanie’s joked on sooo many occasions that if we weren’t roommates, she’d be charging me for our sessions.”

“I've had several coffee shop sessions with Steph, and she's threatened to charge me as well, so I just pay for her coffee.”

“Oh you have, have you? Is that why she set us up as roommates?” LeAnne grinned quite broadly now.

“I think so. Well, she said she had a mutual friend that would need a roommate.” Michelle smiled.

“She said the same to me, but wouldn’t tell me who until I agreed. I think we just got set up.” She laughed.

“I think so too, darn her. I think we need to gang up on her and tickle her when she gets back.” Michelle grinned.

“What really gets me though, is whether or not she knew about Scott. But I can’t really see any way she could’ve intentionally timed this. If anything, knowing her, she probably just knew us spending more time together, and living together would... Um... Set... things in motion?” LeAnne blushed a bit.

“I think she also thought since we take classes together us as roommates could do our homework easier if we were living in the same dorm.” Michelle blushed too.

LeAnne giggled at Michelle’s blush. “Gawd, you really are cute when you’re embarrassed.”

“And, you’re still one strong southern belle. I need to remember to never tick you off.” Michelle giggled.

“Aw, honey, there’s only one thing you could ever do to make me mad, and I know you’d never do that. Even if you break up with me I know you’ll do it in a way that salvages our friendship.” She grinned, waiting to see if Michelle picked up on her choice of words.

“I’d at least try to do that, and I sure the hell wouldn’t do it over the phone.” Michelle nodded her head as she pulled out the finished steamed veggies and put them in a bowl next to the chicken.

LeAnne smiled a little more as she nodded. “So... Um.. Can I be completely honest with you, without embarrassing either of you?” LeAnne giggled.

“I think it’s best we all be honest with each other LeAnne.” Michelle smiled, and Taylor nodded her head yes.

“I know what I said earlier tonight about … wanting to take things slowly, but I really, really want to kiss you, and it’s driving me crazy.”

Michelle blushed, and Taylor giggled profusely, “Go on and kiss da girl.” Taylor sang.

“Dere ya see her... Sittin’ dere across da way,” LeAnne sang, giggled, and leaned up to kiss Michelle softly on her lips just once.

Michelle kissed LeAnne back softly, a soft tingly static, not the painful kind, jumped between their lips and down both their bodies to their toes. “Woah...” Michelle whispered and stepped back slowly as if she got a little light headed for a second.

LeAnne giggled softly as she leaned against the gas range. “Damn girl. That was... um... Wow. Did you...”

“Oh wow.. um, did that go to your toes as well?” They asked, almost at the same time, and giggled..

LeAnne nodded. “I’ve honestly never felt anything like that before. I mean I’ve had some nice kisses, especially when I was younger, but nothing so... incredible.”

“Oh so have I, but wow.” Michelle giggled a little. “Our auntie used to tell me when you found the right person, you would know when you had your first kiss.” Michelle looked deeply into LeAnne’s eyes. LeAnne stepped closer and wrapped Michelle in a tight hug, resting her head on her shoulder.

Taylor grinned, “Get a room you two!”

“We’ve got one - two even,” LeAnne responded without missing a beat, and giggled.

Taylor giggled, “Well go use them. We’re here to eat, not kissy faces like in Titanic.”

LeAnne grinned up at Michelle. “Count of three?”

Michelle nodded. “One.”

“Two,” LeAnne answered, grinning at Taylor.

Taylor squealed before they got to Three. “No tickles!”

LeAnne started laughing. “I guess we can let her off the hook this time, since she did just get out of the hospital. We can always get her when she’s better!” she mock evil laughed - something even Michelle had never seen her do.

Michelle shook her head, “You’re getting off mighty easy there sweet pea.” and giggled at LeAnne’s mock even laugh. “Thats really cute LeAnne, I like it.”

“Aww, thanks. I used to do that to Sarah. Leave her wondering if I was serious or not.” She giggled. “But she does have a point. Our food’s going to get cold!”

Michelle went and got some plates for everyone and knives and forks as well, “I’ll cut Taylor’s chicken for her, so she doesn’t have to work so hard.” she went over and dished Taylors plate and started to cut the chicken.

“Oh yeah, be glad it’s just your arm sweetie,” LeAnne added. as she nibbled off a piece of chicken. “When my brother Ricky had dental work done, he had to have everything put through a food processor. I have to admit his tuna sandwich-blended was actually pretty tasty though.”

Taylor looked at LeAnne with disgust, “I have nice teeth. Even my dentist Rachel said so!”

LeAnne giggled. “Ricky’s started taking better care of his after that, but there’s no substitute for prevention in the first place. Gawd, I sound like my dentist now,” she laughed, shaking her head. “I guess it’s the med student in me.”

Michelle nodded. “I notice it in my humor as well.”

Taylor just shook her head slowly. “I’m doomed.” She giggled.

Michelle shook her head, “You’re fine sweet pea.” handing her a plate of food, then dished herself and LeAnne some food as well, “Here you go LeAnne.” handing her a plate.

“Thanks darlin’,” LeAnne replied warmly, wasting no time in foregoing her polite Southern ladylike ways in favor of tearing into her chicken. “Other than that bowl of ice cream earlier I haven’t had anything to eat since this morning, and that was a month old granola bar. I’m so hungry.”

“Well, the Ice cream was a soother, because of what happened; this is to fill us up the rest of the way.” Michelle grinned. “Besides the earlier we eat dinner, the quicker you can go see your mom and then come back to the house so I can see your lovely eyes.”

LeAnne grinned. “Gawd, I don’t know how I’m quite going to explain this. I mean it’s not even the ‘Mom I’m dating a girl’ part, but the ‘Mom my boyfriend dumped me and I’m dating a girl now’ part. I don’t want it to come off like I’m using you or something. It’s more like I just woke up to what I had right in front of me. I mean, yeah we’re still friends, but that kiss... Wow.” She giggled.

“Hey if she loves you, then she won’t say anything other then she loves you and supports you in anything you do.” Michelle smiled and leaned over to kiss LeAnne’s lips softly.

LeAnne smacked her lips and giggled again. “Mmm. You can really taste the lemon pepper with that lipstick,” she teased.

Michelle giggled and licked her lips, “Yeah you can: just stands out so much more.”

Taylor giggled quietly as she chewed on a piece of chicken, not about to say one single word and smiling almost angelically.

“I think Taylor is enjoying the fact that we are together, now she’s got two people to care for her.” Michelle winked at LeAnne.

Taylor giggled loudly. “Just wondering what took you guys so long. I mean no offense but when I came down I was convinced you had been kissing before you heard me coming.”

Michelle blushed, “Um, I’ve kinda wanted to kiss LeAnne since I met her Taylor.”

LeAnne blushed a little now too as she sheepishly as she munched on a steamed carrot. “I wasn’t even dating Scott at the time. I was kind of sort of coming off a relationship with a guy in my internship program. We went on one date and that was all either of us could stand, so we’re literally just friends.” She giggled. “I should’ve figured it out then.”

“I wasn’t screaming out of myself at that point LeAnne. I wanted to have a friend at Yale, so there was no way I would have ever said or done anything when we met.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne smiled back at her and squeezed her hand. “I’m really glad we met, but I still feel bad about dragging you all over campus like that.”

“Hey I had fun, and I got to meet the most wonderful person in my life.” Michelle smiled, “Besides you kinda push me to be a bit more open, so I’m glad you did.”

“Which is funny to me on so many levels because without Steph I’d still be the biggest wallflower on the entire campus,” LeAnne giggled. “THE worst part about being friends with a Psych major is that they know how to manipulate you and make it sound so logical that you have no choice but to agree or feel silly. Fortunately Steph used her powers for good, and got me to be a lot less shy about meeting new people, so... in a way it’s her you should blame.” LeAnne grinned.

Michelle giggled, “I guess we better call her sometime soon and yell at her.” giving a wink.

LeAnne laughed. “I thought about calling Momma, but then it hit me that one, I shattered my phone into a billion pieces, and two, she’s literally the next block over. Gawd I’m gonna love living here.”

Michelle smiled, “We are too. Oh um, here, take my phone and call Taylor’s and tell me how it went with your mom ok?” slipping her phone into LeAnne’s top with a wink.

LeAnne giggled. She grinned as she stood, leaning down to kiss Michelle softly. “You two have fun. I’ll be back in just a little bit.”

“Think I went to far Taylor?” Michelle giggled.

Taylor laughed as she shook her head. “No way. I think you should ask her to share that big master bedroom,” she answered honestly. Of course sex hadn’t even entered her nine year old mind, so much as that they’d be miserable sleeping alone, after tonight.

“Well we do have to set some ground rules, in all seriousness, and some with you too young lady, if you do decide you like boys, you won’t be allowed to have them in your bedroom,” she paused then added. “with the door closed.” Michelle winked.

“And if I like girls?” Taylor giggled, but suddenly frowned thoughtfully. “Oh, that’d get so confusing.”

“If you like girls, well we can cross that bridge when it comes up ok?” Michelle smiled.

“Yeah, I think I agree,” she answered.

“I’ve never really been interested in girls before, Taylor. As a boy that would be called homosexual behavior, or being straight if you were a girl, but now I find myself so attracted to my best friend.” Michelle smiled.

“So like... you’re not normally attracted to girls, just LeAnne?” Taylor asked.

Michelle nodded her head, “When I was your brother, I tried to date a girl, we even kissed, but it just was wrong. It felt disgusting, but when I kiss LeAnne, it’s magic every time. The important thing is, never force the issue with them Sweet pea. Just be a friend first ok?” Michelle walked over and kissed Taylor on the forehead.

Taylor nodded and giggled. “So, cookies? Um, I’d help clear the dishes but I’m afraid I might break one.”

Michelle nodded, and started to put the dishes away, then got out all the ingredients to make the cookies, “Ok I’m going to have you help me with this sweet pea.”

Michelle and Taylor spent several hours working on cookies. When LeAnne finally showed back up home, she had totally forgotten the phone was in her top. LeAnne poked her head around the kitchen door. “Anyone home?”

Michelle and Taylor where sampling one of the cookies from the second batch, “Nope, just us cookie monsters.” Taylor giggled.

LeAnne laughed. “Well if you see my girlfriend, tell her I’m sorry that took so long.”

Michelle looked over at LeAnne with a cookie in her mouth, then pulled it out, “Well if you want to say you’re sorry to her you should go over to her and give her a kiss.”

LeAnne, without missing a beat, sauntered casually and slowly over to Michelle, wrapped her arms around her, and kissed her squarely on the tip of her nose then giggled. “It was a um... really productive talk.” She smiled broadly.

Michelle crossed her eyes and looked at the tip of her nose, “I’m glad. So what was the discussion about - us I’m taking it?”

“A little bit, yeah. She also reminded me that when her and dad divorced, that it took her a year of therapy to get over it, but that it didn’t really accomplish anything else in that year. She thinks I’m doing the right thing by not wasting my time even thinking about Scott.” She paused, staring into Michelle’s eyes. “She’s really happy that I finally found someone who’ll treat me right, too.”

“Good, but remember I will still spank you if you get out of hand.” Michelle winked.

LeAnne laughed. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, babe,” she teased, but kissed her cheek. “I dunno how to ‘go forward’ in all this. The hardest part for me was accepting that people are gonna see us as lesbians, and all the stuff that comes with that. I don’t care though. I know who I am, and I know that you make me feel special in a way nobody else ever has. I’m proud to be your girlfriend.” She sighed happily. “Right now I’m just happy with ‘I love my best friend’.”

“I’m happy that you just said yes to moving in here, and now we are dating.” Michelle bubbled, “Well um, we do need to set up some ground rules I guess.” She giggled., “Um, I got two, honesty, and if something makes you uncomfortable say something.”

LeAnne giggled. “Well honey, if there’s something on your mind I want you to be completely honest.”

Michelle nodded, “Since I want our relationship to be based on our friendship, and friends do not lie to each other, and I haven’t lied to you before, it just never came up in subject, but before it does by someone other than me, um LeAnne, I have to tell you, I wasn’t born a girl.”

LeAnne actually let out a relieved sigh. “Jeeze, girl. I thought you were gonna tell me you had a prison record or a crazy ex-boyfriend stalker or something.”

Michelle stared at LeAnne, “You’re ok with that? Wow, if my parents had anything to do with my life I might have had a prison record or even been in a looney bin.”

The older girl smiled as she nodded, squeezing Michelle close. “Robin’s my sister’s best friend, and I work with another transgendered woman at the hospital during my internship. The whole reason I finally listened to Steph and took a gender studies course was to better understand what kind of personal hell those two had to go through. If anything, I feel more sympathy for you guys’ situation now, for what it’s worth.”

Michelle kissed LeAnne on her soft lips, and goose bumps rose on her arms, that magic feeling again she thought. “Thank you LeAnne for not throwing a lamp at me or beating me with a stick.” she giggled.

“Or saying something incredibly hurtful like ‘Oh no wonder I like you’?” she asked gently, nuzzling her forehead against Michelle’s. “You’re female in my eyes. You always have been.”

“Yeah that too, or ‘hey are you one of those she-males with the penis’ and ‘are you on porno movies?’”

Taylor looked at the two and shook her head standing up and headed to the stairs. “Ooo-kay this convo is turning too adult for me. Love you both! ‘Night!”

“Aww,” LeAnne tried hard not to giggle. “Um... Before you go after her can I ask you a really personal question though?”

“Sure sweetie, you can ask me anything you want.” Michelle smiled.

“Just don’t take it the wrong way, and it absolutely changes nothing, but since you brought it up already, have you um... had your surgery?”

Michelle giggled a lot on that one, “I guess you’re going to have to wait till you take me to bed to find that one out,” she teased, giving LeAnne a wink as she headed upstairs to help Taylor into a nighty and to tuck her in.

LeAnne blushed even more deeply and giggled, playfully swatting Michelle’s butt as she passed. She wanted to ask if Michelle still wanted her to sleep in a separate bedroom, but given all that had happened that night, decided to leave things alone for now, sitting down at the table and munching a cookie.

Michelle came back downstairs after a moment and smiled, “Like em?”

“These are really good. So moist and... mmm...” she mumbled around her cookie.

“So LeAnne, I know this may sound weird, but if you want and feel lonely tonight or well any night as a matter of fact, um you can come snuggle with me? I have a California King in there and it’s kind of a waste of space.” Michelle flushed.

LeAnne coughed and put her cookie down, staring at Michelle for a moment or two. “Damit girl. You’ve really gotta stop reading my mind.” She blushed bright crimson as she looked away.

“I think there is a Psych term for that, but we would have to ask Steph about it,” Michelle giggled, “But I think it’s because we are so darn close.” She reached down and grabbed a cookie.

LeAnne smiled shyly as she pulled Michelle close. “It’s something Scott never understood. No, not just Scott... Any guy I tried to date, really. When I want to spend the night with someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean I want to go to bed with them with the intentions of having sex. If sex happens, great, but it shouldn’t be forced.”

Michelle nodded as she got pulled close to LeAnne, “Same here, well not with Scott, ugh, but with men in general.” She giggled. “But it wasn’t an offer for sex, it was an offer to cuddle. or snuggle or whatever.” Michelle really blushed on that one.

LeAnne giggled, leaning in for another quick, yet oh so magical kiss. “I know. I was agreeing with you.” She grinned.

“Is that going to happen everytime we kiss, because if it is, I don’t ever want to stop kissing you.” Michelle smiled.

“There’s only one way to find out,” she teased, kissing her again.

“I’m still kind of a teenager based on my age, but if you base on the facts of what i’ve experienced I’m about the same age as you.” Michelle giggled and gave LeAnne a deep passionate kiss, that spark like the first time went through them.

“Wow,” LeAnne whispered, shivering slightly. “Do you have a battery in that tongue ring of yours?” she teased. “Oh um, since I didn’t really answer your question before, I would love to cuddle with you every single night.” She grinned, slowly trailing a finger down Michelle’s spine.

“No batteries attached to the tongue ring, that would hurt!” She shivered from the finger, “I don’t think Taylor will mind. I think she wants to call me Mom for some reason, even though I’m her sister, and she almost called you mom too.”

“You noticed that too?” LeAnne smiled sadly. “From what you’ve told me I can’t imagine growing up with your parents was any easier on her, just that they’d probably found different shit to take out on her.” LeAnne sighed.

Michelle shook her head, “But Auntie wasn’t in any position to take her, and neither was I till this year.” Michelle sighed.

“I’ll be honest with you, honey, there’s a big, big part of me that just wants to hold her and never let her go. I love my sister Sarah. I wouldn’t trade her for anything, but she’s also a very strong, independent young woman. Taylor though … She’s more vulnerable than she lets on. I think she wants, and needs, a good parental figure in her life. I wouldn’t bat an eye if she wanted to call me ‘Mom’.” LeAnne smiled softly.

“Me either LeAnne, I love my sister to death, and if she wants to think of me as her mom, then so be it. I am her parental guardian.” Michelle rested her head on LeAnne’s shoulder.

LeAnne smiled as she stroked Michelle’s hair. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you take care of her. The only question is, should we tell her, or just let her decide what she wants on her own?”

“Well I think it would be best to let her decide on her own, but along the way we can encourage it.” Michelle smiled brightly as LeAnne played with her hair.

“She’s such a bright girl, but she tends to over analyze things, like someone else I know.” LeAnne giggled softly and kissed Michelle’s forehead. “But then, so do I. It took Momma giving me a verbal swift kick in the ass to finally realize just how much I wanted to be with you, and to stop overthinking it.

“Oh that reminds me, um, would it be okay if the girls stayed here for a couple of days next weekend? Mom and Peter are going on a quick vacation together so the twins and Sarah’ll need a place to stay. I told her I was sure you’d say yes, but I wanted to talk to you about it first.”

“Sure um, the only other furnished room is yours, so we might have to get one more bed.” Michelle giggled. “So I have a personal question, since we will be sharing the bedroom, are we going to be shy and change in private or..?” giving a wink.

LeAnne laughed. “Honey, after living with Stephanie “Strips on the way to the shower, starting at the front door”, I don’t even think twice about modesty anymore, but if you’re uncomfortable with me seeing you,” she paused to search for the right word, “Unclothed, I’ll happily respect that.”

“Well um, as a boy, I never had sex, and well um as a girl, I’m about in the same boat, not like I was lacking in the men willing to have sex with me, I just didn’t well want to at that point, so I’m a bit unsure of the rules of dating, when you're sharing a room.” Michelle giggled.

LeAnne giggled as well, shaking her head. “Whatever makes you comfortable. I promise not to stand in the doorway and stare at you while you’re changing, but I can’t promise not to sneak a peek now and then,” she teased.

Michelle giggled, “But I sleep naked...” She stuck out her tongue.

LeAnne parted her lips, wrapping them around Michelle’s tongue right up to her piercing and smiled sweetly, letting it go again. “You don’t say...”

“I’m not joking,” Michelle giggled. “I haven’t used a nightie since I was like fourteen.”

“I like to sleep in a cami and pajamas if it’s cold, or just the top and panties if it’s not, but if that’s what makes you comfortable, I’m okay with it. It might make just being friends harder, but I think we moved past that point before I left earlier.” LeAnne grinned, gliding her fingers through Michelle’s hair again.

“But if it bothers you at all at anytime LeAnne, the fact that I sleep naked I mean, I can wear my panties and a shirt to bed.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne giggled. “I’d sooner let you have your bed to yourself than make you change yourself for me, but it’s okay. I mean it doesn’t bother me.”

“Blah sweetie, I want to cuddle with you. If it makes you uncomfortable to hold me or me to hold you, while i'm naked, then I can and will put clothes on.” Michelle leaned closer and kissed LeAnne on the neck softly.

“Oh gawd,” LeAnne whimpered, craning her neck just slightly. “Keep that up, missy, and it’ll be a discussion of how you’ll keep me from inappropriately touching you.” She giggled, flashing a teasing smile. “No, really though, don’t you dare stop doing that.”

“You know if I keep it up, people at the hospital will ask you what happened to your neck.” Michelle giggled as she kissed and sucked gently on LeAnne’s neck.

“My massaging showerhead came loose and fell on me,” LeAnne answered with a giggle as she leaned close, giving Michelle’s earlobe a playful, gentle lick. “I will say this much though... If you do ever want to have sex, I’d rather it be with someone I care about and trust than with someone who just wants to use me and throw me aside.” She smiled and kissed Michelle’s cheek, hugging her close.

“Same here. That’s why I haven’t had it yet. I just couldn’t find the right guy or girl.” Michelle smiled as she shivered going back and attacking LeAnne’s neck with her mouth, giving her a large love bite bruise on her neck.

LeAnne squealed just a little, more like a giggle than anything. “Maybe I’ll just tell them the truth. I have an amazing girlfriend.” She laughed and rested her head on Michelle’s shoulder, practically melting.

Michelle giggled as she held LeAnne close, “It’s been a long day. How about them cuddles? Tomorrow Taylor and I have to head over to Kingsley.”

“Yes please,” LeAnne practically begged. “I’ve got a long day tomorrow, so the sooner we get to cuddles, the longer I can enjoy them.”

Michelle giggled and stood up, and grabbed LeAnne’s hand and lead her up the stairs. She stopped outside Taylors door and whispered, “Going to check on sweet pea really fast.”

LeAnne giggled quietly. “I was just thinking the same thing... Mind if I tag along?”

“Sure, I don’t mind at all,,” Michelle whispered as she quietly opened Taylors door, and slowly and quietly entered the room to check on her. LeAnne followed close behind, not making a sound.

Michelle watched her sister sleep with a smile on her face and turned around to LeAnne giving her a peck and then slowly snuck out of the room, waiting for LeAnne to follow, so they could close the door.

LeAnne leaned close and whispered, almost inaudibly, “Your Mommies love you,” before creeping out of the room after Michelle. She wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled fondly.

“She was just so adorable sleeping like that,” Michelle grinned, “I didn’t want to go any closer you know.” She took LeAnne’s hand again, leading her down the hallway to her room.

LeAnne smiled sheepishly. “I couldn’t help myself. She just looked so innocent and angelic. But at least those years of ballet finally paid off,” she added with a quiet giggle.

At that very moment the house froze in time, and Faith and Bethany both looked around the house. Faith had a big smile on her face as she looked at LeAnne and Michelle, “Now that’s perfect. Nature is balanced again.”

Bethany frowned. "Faith, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Faith giggled. "Helping them along."

"One - love is my domain. Two, you're forcing them together, aren’t you? Real love takes time. If you take away their free will then it's meaningless."

"Oh I didn’t take away anything from them Bethany, dear. It was already there. I just gave them a push." Faith giggled and put an arm around Bethany.

Bethany smiled after a moment or two. "Well... I was going to try and convince her to break up with Scott so I guess it worked out there. She's too important to Sarah to get hurt by some sleazebag. Sorry for yelling at you. It all just happened so fast."

Faith nodded, "I created the true love system when I created humans, but some never find their true love. Look more closely at those two's auras though. They match perfectly, just like Jennifer's and Nari's. Keep a close eye on these two Bethany. Great things are going to happen."

Bethany giggled as she wrapped an arm around Faith, resting her head on her shoulder. "Oh my Gosh... You're right. Their auras are a perfect match. I guess I didn't realize it because it is so rare, and um... Well technically I am still young at this goddess thing."

She giggled and kissed Faith's cheek. "Um, can I make it up to you? The jumping to the wrong conclusions stuff I mean. Not to sound like Jenn or anything," she added with an almost devious giggle. "I just feel guilty now."

Faith giggled, "Sure - fish sticks at The Cameron restaurant sounds good!"

Bethany giggled. "Oooh, and those big fat seasoned fries! Let's do it!" She paused to peek into Taylor's bedroom. "They do love that little girl though... You couldn't have picked two more perfect 'parents' for her. Is Michelle her real sister? I um.. I forgot to read your memo," she asked, blushing.

Faith nodded, "Yes she is. I hated to do what I did, but it was either let her go off to family services, and have everyone but her killed or change her brothers past."

Bethany gave Faith a sidelong glance. "What exactly did you change?"

"I just made her go through with what she always wanted, instead of taking out her entire family. As I said, nature is in balance again." Faith winked.

"Oh my God... Er, damit. Now Sarah's got ME saying that!" She whined then frowned. "But... um, wow. Talk about divine intervention." Bethany started giggling. "I'm sooo proud of you Mom."

"Bethany, you will learn that sometimes you have to give some heavy shoves instead of light ones, and sometimes you just have to go back and start them all over again." Faith smiled and kissed Bethany on the forehead.

“But you have to be mindful of what you change. All this, Michelle going to Yale and meeting LeAnne - she did all that on her own. All I changed was nudging her into transitioning like she wanted, instead of bottling up her rage until she couldn’t take it anymore and killed them all.”

“Oh, so her parents would have died either way?” Bethany frowned. Faith nodded.

“It was their time. I changed the cause of death to a freak accident to help Taylor cope better, and had the ladies give them this house so that they could have a home.”

Bethany giggled a bubbly, unbelievably feminine giggle and nuzzled Faith's shoulder. "I'll try and keep that in mind going forward. Which one of those twins did you have your eye on again?" she teased, grinning innocently.

Faith smacked Bethany's shoulder gently, "You know which one!"

"Oh certainly, and I also didn't mean to imply that I'd be giving her a gentle nudge either," she snickered.

Faith giggled softly. "You know Bethany, I love having you around. You make running this universe stuff a lot more fun than it used to be."

Bethany giggled. "Because I can be a more vicious bitch than Marry when I put my mind to it, or because I constantly jump to all the wrong conclusions and end up buying you dinner to apologize?"

Faith giggled again. "Nah, you will figure out why someday, but Marry and Kris make it worth it too. You are all such wonderful help. I love you all so much."

They both faded from the house and time resumed as if they were not even there.

“I almost thought about ballet, but I took up painting instead.” Michelle smiled at LeAnne. “One of these days you will have to let me paint you.”

“You and Sarah would have a lot to talk about. She’s a genius with art pencils you know. Oh Michelle before I forget, there is something for you on the end table near the door.” LeAnne grinned.

“Oh? What is it?” Michelle asked with a giggle as she headed for the living room to check the end table. “OH MY GOD LeAnne, those are perfect, I love Posies!” she squealed as she picked the vase up and walked back to the kitchen with it..

LeAnne hesitantly peeked around the corner and grinned. “I wasn’t really sure what to get. I just knew I needed to say I’m sorry. Like I said, it was a REALLY good talk.” She grinned as she approached Michelle to hug her.

Michelle smiled and pulled LeAnne closer. “I know we just started dating but you are the best partner ever.”

LeAnne giggled softly as she lay her head on Michelle’s shoulder. “I’ll be honest with you. I never saw this coming. Not in a million years, but now it’s like I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner. Stephanie and I are close, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love her little quirks, but our friendship’s always been different. Now I kinda understand why.”

Michelle smiled and listened to LeAnne, as they held each other, and then headed upstairs to do their cuddling. “So, when Taylor and I are done in Kingsley I’ll stop by with some food and your new cell phone ok?” she commented as they approached their newly-shared bedroom.

“Sounds great. Have you ever been up to the rooftop garden? It’s a great spot for a picnic, and it’d probably be just the three of us since hardly anyone ever goes up there.”

“Want me to have them page you when I get there?” Michelle asked, adding, “And no but it sounds wonderful.”

“Oh, then you’re in for a treat. Just hope neither of you’s afraid of heights,” she giggled. “Oh yeah, just tell whoever’s at the front desk. If I’m not observing a surgery then chances are I’ll be right down. But I’ve only got one that I know of, so...” She paused, stepping into what would’ve been her bedroom long enough to grab a cami to sleep in.

Michelle nodded as they went to room. She shut the door behind them and started to peel off her clothes. “So now you get to see where all my metal broadcasting devices are, and if I went all the way with my surgeries.” she stated with a giggle.

LeAnne giggled. “It’s ironic. The one person I probably won’t be “involved” with for awhile at least is the first person I get to see completely naked.” A playful grin crossed her lips as she snuck a quick kiss, and started to strip down, pulling her pale aqua cami over her head. “Phew. Much better.”

Michelle giggled, “Oh and I don’t snore, so you don’t have to worry about that, but I do toss around sometimes,” she added as she took off her bra to reveal nipple piercings , as well as her belly button piercing and a Celtic trinity tattoo that stretched from her back shoulder blade over her right breast.

“That’s okay. I once slept through a tornado. It’d take more than an act of God to wake me up.” She paused thoughtfully as she eyed the tattoo. “Irish or Scottish?”

“Half Irish and half Welsh, our dad was born in Wales, and mom’s american born.” Michelle smiled.

“My sister and I are half Irish. We’re not really sure about Dad’s side, but I believe it’s a little Scottish and German with just a dash of Cherokee waaay back in there somewhere.” She smiled, tracing the lines across Michelle’s back with her finger.

Michelle shivered and got goosebumps, “I liked the Trinity, so I decided to get it as a tattoo, and I had it wrapped around my right side.”

“I love it. I’ll be honest - I normally think tattoos are kinda tacky, but this looks so amazing.”

“I like art, and I would agree with you. Most tattoos are tacky, but I drew the design for this, and my friend from Kingsley Eric tattooed it on me, He’s kinda famous: does a lot of high profile tattooing.”

LeAnne giggled a little as she pulled back the covers. “Ooh, are these silk sheets?”

Michelle smiled as she pulled off her pants, in her black panties still, “I think so, but I haven’t had a chance to sleep on the bed yet.” she giggled, as she started to pull em down.

LeAnne sat on the edge of the bed, blushing just a little bit as she watched Michelle for as long as she could stand before finally lowering her head, giggling like a schoolgirl.

“‘You know I think I might just tease you, and let you guess the rest.” Michelle giggled as she jumped onto the bed in her panties.

“You’re such a tease,” LeAnne laughed, closing the short distance between the two with a pounce before settling in and kissing her. “Thank you... For being such a wonderful, supportive friend, and for acceptin’ me for who I am, with all my insecurities and faults.” Her Southern drawl had really thickened in the last few minutes, causing her to blush. “Bah. Sorry. I try and fight it, but when I get tired I sound like Jeff Foxworthy.” She giggled.

“No it’s ok LeAnne, I love your accent.” Michelle smiled as she lay on the bed, she decided to go all out and skinny dipped on the bed, throwing her panties across the room, giving LeAnne a full view of her very female naked body with no metal lower than her belly button, “Does this answer your questions?” she giggled as she snuggled close to LeAnne.

LeAnne laughed. “I’ll let you know when I get the courage to look,” she teased. “For what it’s worth, I really wouldn’t care either way. You’re beautiful - inside and out. You’re such an amazing woman, and what you’re doing for Taylor just makes me wanna cry thinking about it. I’m so proud to be a part of all this.”

“I couldn’t think of a better person to share it with LeAnne. Holding you, kissing you, it all just feels right.” Michelle smiled as she cuddled closer to LeAnne on the bed.

LeAnne nodded and pressed her lips to Michelle’s before replying, “I feel the same way. It... Everything... “ She babbled. “I’m just gonna stop talking now,” she added a moment later. “I think I love you. I’ll leave it at that.” Her cheeks turned a bright crimson.

“You think you love me?” Michelle giggled and nuzzled in as close to LeAnne as possible holding her, “Well I think I love you too.” Michelle tickled LeAnne causing her to squeal and giggle.

“I’ve just never been this close to someone - physically or emotionally - without at least some reservation, some doubt. But with you it’s like... that little shoulder angel’s sitting in a corner pouting because she ain’t got nothing.”

Michelle nodded and played with LeAnne’s beautiful hair as they did exactly what they said they were going to do - cuddle. “And the little devil on the other side is just all smiles I bet as well huh?”

LeAnne started laughing. “Oh you better believe it. You’d think she’d be all trying to push something, but she’s sittin’ there slack-jawed that we’re even dating,” she teased, adding, “She’s a little southern lady like me, I guess.”

Michelle put her head over LeAnne’s making sure her hair didn’t fall in her face, and planted a kiss on her lips, “I like the fact you’re from the south. When I get angry, I start to sound like I’m from Wales. I got that from my dad.”

LeAnne giggled softly. “I know. Like that time you cursed out your car in Welsh when it wouldn’t start.”

Michelle giggled, and nodded, “My dads sister taught me the old language. I hope to pass it on to Taylor someday too.”

“That’d be great I think - a real family tradition thing. I took French in high school, but I couldn’t tell you how to ask where the bathroom is anymore.”

“Oá¹ sont les toilettes s'il vous plaá®t,” Michelle giggled, “Sorry I speak a lot of languages, it was a hobby of mine when I was in high school.”

LeAnne cocked her head just slightly to the side, staring up at Michelle, and mimicking an almost perfect Scottish accent. “Do that standin’ on yer hand an’ Ah’ll be impressed.” She giggled, quickly adding, “Sorry. Braveheart remains one of my favorite movies. I know it was historically inaccurate, but the romance between Wallace and Murron was so beautiful. I must’ve watched it a hundred times.”

“I have it on DVD. When I get back to my apartment in Kingsley I can grab everything of mine while we check to see what we can get for Taylor out of the old house.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne giggled. “I um... have it on VHS in storage somewhere. I haven’t had a working VCR since I spilled coffee on my old one when I was seventeen though. Not that I’ve had time for things like movies … or a social life.” She laughed as she reached up to push her hand through Michelle’s hair, pulling her down for a kiss.

“That’s another thing... I know you’ll understand how busy my life is. You won’t get mad at me when my medical internship pulls me away, or when I’m cramming for an important test because you’re in the same boat. But I promise I’ll always make time for you and Taylor when you need me.”

Michelle nodded. “I was about to say something of the same nature. When the lab needs me or if we’re cramming for a test, as you put it, then we are kinda busy, but I will always make time for you and my lil sister. Oh LeAnne, when we are both busy with work like that, do you think your sister would mind babysitting Taylor? I can pay her.”

LeAnne giggled. “I doubt she’d see it as babysitting, knowing Sarah, but I’m sure she’d love to have her over anyway. Sarah’s always having friends over, whether it’s our cousin Faith or Katelyn or that Bethany girl. I think it’d be good for both of them to spend time together.”

“Oh wow, we have to meet a Bethany on Monday, but thats just a coincidence of name.” Michelle giggled.

“I sure hope so,” LeAnne giggled. “Our Bethany’s about Faith’s age I think. I never really asked, but she definitely looks around eleven or twelve. Such a sweet girl. Usually wears tie-dye in bright pinks or purples.”

“Ah, must have hippies for parents or something, if she’s always wearing tie-dye, or she likes that era. I don’t mind some of the music, but I’m glad I wasn’t born in the 60s.” Michelle smiled.

“Gawd, me either. I like some of the pretty flower child dresses, but I grew up in a conservative Arkansas community where a boy woulda got his teeth knocked out if he didn’t know everything there is to know about the internal combustion engine, and girls were expected to do all the housework. I can only imagine the 60s being even worse. They did have some good music though.”

Michelle let out a heavy breath and fell asleep snuggling against LeAnne as she slipped a leg over one of LeAnne’s so she could be as close to her as possible while sleeping. It had been a really long day for her. LeAnne giggled under her breath as she lay her head back, pulling the sheet up over them. She pressed her lips to Michelle’s cheek before closing her eyes.

Both LeAnne and Michelle awoke at 4:30am to Taylor opening the door. “Michelle, LeAnne, you awake?” she spoke barely above a whisper..

LeAnne, as the more clothed of the two, sat up. “Hey you. Everything okay?”

Taylor nodded, “I am now. I thought you two left me here alone.”

LeAnne quickly shook her head, motioning for Taylor to come closer as she turned on the nearby nightstand lamp. “C’mere.”

Taylor moved closer to bed. She stopped in front of it and smiled; she was wearing the pink nightie that Michelle bought for her the day before. “I’m glad you both didn’t leave me. Um, I’m kinda hungry.” She looked down.

LeAnne giggled as she slid closer, pulling Taylor into a hug and kissing her forehead. “Honey, we’re not going anywhere. Let me get my bathrobe, and I’ll make you some breakfast, ok?” She paused to glance back at Michelle with another giggle. “And it’ll give your sister a chance to make herself decent,” she teased.

Michelle winked. “You know we are all naked under our clothes.” She giggled loudly..

LeAnne stared a little cross-eyed for just a moment before she started laughing hysterically. ‘Oh Christ, that’s great. Mind if I steal that the next time I have to deal with one of the Philosophy stoners? That’ll really tweak ‘em!”

Michelle giggled. “That’s where I got it from. You know Angie right, and her boy toy Chris?”

“Oh, the ones always thirty minutes late, sneaks in the back thinking nobody’ll notice?”

Michelle nodded, “Those are the two.” and giggled as she waiting for Taylor to leave the room before getting out of bed to grab a robe to come downstairs for some coffee.

LeAnne followed Taylor out of the room, grabbing her bathrobe along the way - an oversized, pale pink fleece number that almost reached her ankles. “So can I ask what made you think we had abandoned you? I mean it’s okay if you’d rather not talk about it,” she quickly added, “But I just want you to know I’m here for you - we both are.”

Taylor looked up at LeAnne, “I just had a dream, I guess, and with mamma and daddy gone..” She stopped, “I guess I got two new mommies.”

LeAnne giggled as she hugged Taylor. “I’m gonna let you in on a little family secret. Very few people around here know this. Not long ago my sister Sarah was … Um... Well, she was attacked by a boy, and he tried to hurt her in a really bad way. She had such awful nightmares about it. Bad things that happen to you, that you have no control over, are nothing for you to feel guilty about.”

She smiled and kissed Taylor’s forehead. “And for what it’s worth, I’m really happy that you’d think of me as your mom. I know I only just came into your life, but I promise you, I will always be here for you when you need me - always.”

Taylor hugged LeAnne tightly, as Michelle pulled them both into a hug, “Hey you two, let's get some food. I don’t know about anyone else in this house, but I was about to get up shortly anyway and make coffee.”

LeAnne giggled softly. “I’m actually usually up earlier than this, but I had a long day yesterday. Drove. Steph. Batty.” She giggled again, smiling innocently. “So, who wants hobo hash?” She grinned innocently, just waiting for the inevitable question as she started for the stairs.

Taylor looked at LeAnne with a strange expression on her face. “Hobo hash? What is that?”

“Well, the way Mom makes it, it’s a little bit like an omelet, except that instead of folding the eggs over your fixin’s, you scramble them up in a big bowl - hash browned potatoes, cheese, browned sausage, and you can add peppers or onions if you prefer. It’s SO good sauteed in a light oil. Kinda like a breakfast burrito without the tortilla.”

Michelle giggled. “Looks like we have a lot of new foods to experience, Taylor.”

LeAnne giggled as she stepped into the kitchen. She headed right for the freezer, taking out the package of sausage Michelle had bought yesterday and carrying it over to the counter. “I’ll get Momma to loan me her recipe book some time so I can make y’all a proper casserole for dinner.”

Michelle grinned, commenting, “Sounds like a plan,” as she made a bee-line for the can of coffee and the coffee pot.

Taylor just stood off to the side and watched attentively, her tummy protesting the food talk. LeAnne shot her a glance and grinned. “Want to help?”

Taylor nodded her head up and down, “I want to learn to cook. Making cookies last night was fun!”

“I love to cook. I’ll take you guys out to Mom’s restaurant sometime, too. For now, could you get some eggs out of the fridge, and see if we have any cheese? Shredded or sliced is fine since it’ll all end up melted anyway,” she explained, as she started to chop the frozen sausage with a delicate precision.

Taylor went to the fridge and grabbed a bag of shredded cheese and the carton of eggs, and brought them back to LeAnne, “Here you go.”

“Hmm...” LeAnne looked around, opening one of the cupboards, then another one. “Oh, this’ll do,” she said as she took down a large glass mixing bowl and set it on the counter. “Cracking an egg takes practice, but once you get the hang of it,” she paused to take out an egg and cracked it with just enough force that she could pull it apart without dropping any shell in.

“Now you try - and don’t worry if you get any shell in there. They’re easy to dig out with a fork, and we’ll be scrambling them anyway, so the yolk’s gonna get broken either way.”

Michelle giggled to herself, watching the pair. LeAnne and Taylor had really started to bond already, and she couldn’t be happier. She smiled lovingly as she poured up a cup of coffee for herself and another for LeAnne. “Do you like your coffee black or with creamer LeAnne?” Michelle smiled.

“Black as sin,”LeAnne answered with a grin. “It may taste like turpentine, but it wakes me right up too.”

Michelle giggled, “I like my coffee white as me.” as she added creamer to her coffee and none to LeAnne’s. “And for the sweet pea, some orange juice.” She grinned handing LeAnne and Taylor their drinks.

LeAnne smiled and kissed Michelle softly as she accepted her cup then, with one hand, began to drop the sausage bits into a frying pan. “This is just to get the sausage ready. Taylor sweetie, could you add another couple of eggs? If you feel comfortable with it I mean,” she asked as she moved over to the gas range.

“I’ll try,” Taylor answered nervously. “How’d you do this one-handed?” she asked, staring almost cross-eyed at the egg.

Michelle giggled and picked up one of the eggs, turning it over in her hand so Taylor could see. “If you grip it like this, then once it’s cracked, you’ll be able to just spread your fingers apart and it should come right apart. You might have to crack it a few times though,” she added, returning the egg to the carton.

Taylor nodded and tried the trick. To her own surprise, she got it the first time. “Oh wow, that wasn’t that hard.”

LeAnne started to laugh. “You know the first time I did that, I squeezed too hard. You can guess what happened next. Momma looked like she couldn’t decide whether to be mad or to laugh.”

“Before I sold Auntie’s farm, when I was living with her, I had to go out and get fresh eggs, and I learned how to pick them up properly that way.” Michelle smiled.

“Oh gawd,” LeAnne giggled. “Our gram on my dad’s side had a farm when me and Ricky were little. She had this HUGE rooster named Goliath. He was a mean beast. Chased us all over the hen house when we’d go gather eggs.” She started giggling. “Then one Christmas, Goliath made a fantastic chicken dinner.” She pulled the pan off the heat, setting it on the back burner and shutting off the front burner.

“Like Mr. Myagi’s bull - bad bull make good soup!” Michelle giggled.

“Oh I love that movie,” LeAnne giggled. “Okay, next we’re going to let the potatoes simmer in the sausage grease while we prepare the eggs.”

Michelle drank her coffee as she watched Taylor and LeAnne cook. “You two seem paling it up really well, I’m so glad it worked out.”

LeAnne winked at Taylor and then grinned at Michelle. “Well, how else would you expect a Mom to treat her new daughter?” She giggled, stepping over to wrap Michelle in a hug. “She told me just before you got your robe and joined us that she felt like she had two mommies now. I told her I’m deeply honored that she feels that way about me - about us.”

Taylor giggled as she joined the two in their hug. “I had a really bad dream about losing you guys too, but LeAnne really made me feel better.”

Michelle smiled at them both. “Anytime you have a bad dream, don’t hesitate to come see us ok sweetie? Just make sure you crawl between the comforter and the sheet, otherwise, “ Michelle cleared her throat, “Ahh, um, never mind.”

LeAnne giggled softly. “Yeah, you’re always welcome to come join us honey. I mean, in a way you’re the whole reason we’re together right now.”

Michelle nodded in agreement, “I totally agree. You are what brought LeAnne and I together sweet pea.”

Taylor giggled as she leaned her head against Michelle. “So you’re not mad that I called you Mommies instead of sisters?”

“Nope. I kind of like it sweet pea. I don’t know about Miss talks cutely in her sleep however.” Michelle winked at LeAnne.

“I love it,” LeAnne giggled. “And whaddayamean talk in my sleep?”

“Yup you talk like a little girl when your sleeping, and you talk about all sorts of different things.” Michelle smiled.

“Oh dear Lord,” LeAnne shook her head. “I didn’t say anything incriminating did I?”

“Nothing I remember, I got up around two to use the bathroom, that’s about all I heard was something about a unicorn, and a teddy bear.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne giggled and blushed a little. “Must’ve been dreaming about when Sarah was little. She adores unicorns. She’s got a huge collection of ceramic figurines she’s gathered over the years.”

Michelle nodded, “Well we know what we can get her for her birthday then.”

Taylor looked over at LeAnne, “When is Aunt Sarah’s birthday then?” and giggled.

“June 20th I believe,” LeAnne replied. “But there’s always Christmas,” she added with a giggle. “Hey, when’s your birthday sweet pea?” she asked as she fished around in a nearby drawer, retrieving a whisk.

Taylor looked at LeAnne, “August 29th, and you're calling me Sweet Pea now? Oh thats so cool!” she bubbled as she drank her orange juice.

LeAnne giggled. “I still call Sarah ‘Sweet girl’ - I’ve called her that for as long as I can remember, so I figured it’s only fitting,” she replied as she picked up the bowl of eggs and began to vigorously whisk them.

Taylor really wasn’t sure what to do with herself at the moment, two loving mothers (albeit one was her sister, but that didn’t matter), a great home, a new school, and two new friends, “What time do you go to work today Mamma LeAnne?”

LeAnne started to giggle, shooting Michelle a kind of glance that suggested she wasn’t quite sure she heard Taylor right, but grinned. “Well, normally I’d have to be out of the house by six just to get there on time, but now that I’m livin’ here, I could probably leave by eight-thirty and still make it early.”

Michelle smiled, “Need a ride in, or did you bring your car? I was so tired last night I didn’t even bother to look.”

“Oh, um,” LeAnne blushed. “Mine’s bein’ looked at by someone who knows more about these things than ‘The little orange light’s on.” LeAnne giggled. “But she’s working on it here in Alpine Springs at least. I’d love a ride if y’all don’t mind,” she replied, pouring the eggs over the simmering breakfast mix and turning the heat on again.

Taylor smiled as she continued to drink her juice, “So we have to go to Kingsley to get mine and Michelle’s things today and I was hoping to get ahold of Trish and Megs and go to the mall if that’s ok?”

LeAnne glanced back at Taylor with a grin. “Ask your mother,” she teased, trying her best to keep a straight face and not giggle.

“I don’t mind, if your other mother doesn’t” Michelle giggled, “But you have to get your friends’ parents permission first, and when you’re at the mall if anything happens call 911 and then me or LeAnne ok?”

“Ok,” Taylor answered solemnly. She knew too well what ‘could happen’ just from her personal experience, to say nothing of what LeAnne mentioned about her sister earlier.

“We’re not trying to scare you or anything,” LeAnne added with a soft smile. “We just want you to be safe and smart. If it helps, the only reason I don’t worry about Sarah going out like this is because she’s dating Katelyn - that girl could kick my butt.” She giggled.

Michelle giggled. “I can’t wait to meet your sister, and your mom as well.” giving LeAnne a wink, “I’m going to just casually stroll up and say “Hey Mom””

Taylor thought for a second then giggled, “She might not like it if I call her Grandma.”

LeAnne started giggling. “I think some part of her is worried that Ricky’s her only chance for grandkids. I mean, she doesn’t even know that I want to adopt more once I’m out of college and can afford to support a larger family. And Sarah’s … Well, I just can’t see her as a mother just yet. Maybe she’ll grow out of it as she gets older.”

Michelle grinned, “And how large of a family is that?” giving LeAnne ‘the look’.

“Oh, you know, not many - eight, ten at the most,” she answered with a casual smile.

“Well I was thinking more like twelve or fourteen.” Michelle grinned, as Taylor spit out some orange juice.

LeAnne laughed. “Wow. I walked right into that one. Really though, in all honesty I’d love maybe one or three more - two would be bad for that whole ‘middle child’ thing my brother had to deal with I think. Well, that and being the oldest of three really far apart in age didn’t exactly make growin’ up any easier on me. I wouldn’t wanna put Taylor through that.”

Michelle nodded, “I think Taylor would make a great older sister.” pouring herself another cup of coffee and checking LeAnne’s cup, “I’m going to relax after I get this house business taken care of, since even though mom and dad left everything to Taylor, I was surprised they named me executor of their estate, and to top it off they named me guardian at litem for her till she turns eighteen or graduates from college.”

“Given the bad blood, I kind of am too - no offense intended,” LeAnne replied thoughtfully. “I’m glad they gave you guardianship though. She deserves better than to be shoved in some stranger’s home or gettin’ passed around like a piece of meat by the system.” LeAnne shook her head softly. She wanted to say more, but not in front of Taylor. Instead she picked up the shredded cheese, pouring a generous amount over the egg-sausage-potato concoction and letting it melt.

“Almost done,” she announced. “Oh! I shoulda made biscuits!” she added. “Oh well. I’ll remember those tomorrow. Y’know, if I hadn’t got into med school I’d probably have opened my own bakery instead, like Momma’s doing with her restaurant.”

Michelle smiled, “I think you’re talent is better suited for the Hospital, even though you make some of the best food i’ve ever eaten.”

Taylor smiled and nodded, “I agree.”

LeAnne giggled. “I really can’t decide if I want to be a GP or a surgeon - that’s why I end up observing so much. It’s to help me try and figure out what I wanna do when I reach the higher classes. I’m even minoring in Bio Med because I’m so indecisive. I just love helping people.”

Pausing, LeAnne stepped away from the range to grab a large platter, dumping the contents of the pan onto it practically expertly. “When I was a little girl, all my poor dollies’ booboos had little pink band-aids.” She giggled as she carried the plate to the table in one hand, a stack of plates with forks on top in the other. “Now y’all take as much as you like. This’ so easy to make that I can always make more.”

Michelle watched Taylor take a heap full of the food before she loaded her plate, “If things get tough in the class for you hon, just ask me and I will definitely help you, but you know that anyway. The nice thing is it’s a six year degree and I might be able to complete it in four if I play my cards right.”

LeAnne smiled as she nodded. “I might have to take you up on that. Even Steph thought I was crazy when I dropped my Lit minor for Bio Med, but it was that or double-majoring in advanced mathematics, and I figured this way I could be a more well-rounded doctor when I graduate,” she explained as she scooped up a small amount for herself.

Michelle took a bite of the hobo hash, and smiled, “Good stuff. Near the end of next semester I will be interning at the Hospital for GRS surgeries.”

“I didn’t think they did that many in the area,” LeAnne started to say, but paused. “Oh, right. I already forgot how close we are to New Haven.” She giggled. “Plus they did fly that specialist in just for Robin.”

Michelle nodded, “They want to start doing them here in Smallville I mean Alpine Springs. After I graduate I might open a GRS clinic here in town, specializing in some new techniques we’ve been developing in the lab.”

“I think that’s a great idea, honestly. It’s a more comfortable, relaxed surroundings here, a little like a vacation city without all the ruckus of a place like New Haven or New York City. It’d be a lot better for recuperating for sure.”

Taylor listened to the two talk when a text message suddenly on her phone. “Oh wow. Trish is awake!”she giggled, grabbing her cell phone off the counter.

Michelle giggled to herself as she watched out of the corner of her eye. LeAnne just grinned, whispering, “She’s quite the social butterfly. I’d be terrified to talk to anyone if what happened to her had been me.”

Michelle nodded, “Same here, but I am really glad she isn’t letting this get to her.” whispering back as she took another bite of her food.

“It’s like riding a horse, as my daddy would say. When you get thrown you just gotta get back up in the saddle and show the beast who’s boss. And if that doesn’t work … Well, I can’t finish the rest. He’d never actually hurt an animal, but the way he says it, it is kinda funny.” LeAnne blushed.

Michelle laughed as she finished her hobo hash and put her plate in the dishwater, “That was great. I’m stuffed hon, Going to go up and get dressed, and ready for the day; Taylor? Did you still want to join LeAnne and me for lunch, or do you want to eat lunch with your new friends at the mall?”

“Oh, um,” Taylor frowned thoughtfully as she looked up from her phone.

LeAnne giggled. “You can go eat with your friends if you want. You don’t have to feel guilty!” She stood and wrapped her in a hug, kissing the top of her head.

“I’d like to hang out with them if thats ok. I love you both, but I just met them, and they are so cool.” Taylor smiled as she texted Trish about hanging out later today.

LeAnne nodded. “Of course that’s ok honey. I think it’s wonderful. You have fun today!” She smiled happily and kissed her new daughter again, on the forehead this time, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be upstairs gettin’ ready with your other mamma if you need anything.”

Taylor followed them upstairs just long enough to get dressed, returning to her phone, wearing a camouflage skirt and black tank top that she’d gotten yesterday at the mall.

“BTW big grl sct meet 2morrow afternoon. If u can make it ull meet our troop ldr,” popped up on Taylor’s phone.

“Kool, wll tll Michelle abt it & gt dues paid.” Taylor texted back.

“Awsum cnt w8!!! :-)” Trisha replied back.

“gng 2 kngsly, afr wnt 2 hng @ mll with megan if can?” Taylor texted.

“Wut? lol jk sure! Cll me wen u gt bck!”

“Sure,” the only word in this conversation Taylor hadn’t butchered, and she smiled as LeAnne and Michelle came downstairs. “Hey, Trisha said to call her when we get back.”

Michelle grinned. “So I guess it’s just the two of us for lunch today. How romantic,” she teased.

LeAnne grinned, “Well that’s just fine with me.”

“That’s what I love about you LeAnne. You have this amazing ability to adapt to new things.”

LeAnne smiled a little. “Yeah, I think I got that from Momma. She says us Cameron women are strong, but what I think she means is that we’re adaptable. It’s a nice trait to have in our chosen field of study, y’know?” she added with a slight giggle as she hugged Michelle. “But it doesn’t hurt that nothing but good is coming from the changes. Sure, everything’s happenin’ real fast, but... it’s all good things. Such amazing, wonderful things.”

Michelle held onto LeAnne for a moment and smiled, “Yeah, two weeks ago, I didn’t even think I’d ever get to see Taylor ever again, and here she is living with me, and I get to spoil her rotten.” smiling over at Taylor who was lost in her cell phone, the distinct sounds of ‘Angry Birds’ occasionally cropping up from it.

LeAnne giggled. “Just don’t make the same mistake I almost did. I was so danged lost in my studies that I almost missed an amazing trip this summer, meeting family and really getting to connect with my cousin Moira for the first time. I guess that’s some part of why I’m so gung-ho about helping you with Taylor - like the song says, I don’t wanna miss a thing.”

“I agree, I know we will be busy sometimes, but I’m willing to take a break, I just started at Yale recently, but I’m so far ahead in some of my classes, even with summer classes, I can take a break any time and hop back in without much loss.” Michelle smiled and kissed LeAnne then walked over to Taylor and kissed, her on the forehead, looking down at her texting grammar, “Woah girl, I hope you don’t write like that in school.”

LeAnne giggled loudly. “I remember Mom saying the exact same thing to me when she first got a text-capable phone.”

Taylor blushed deeply. “I have better spelling when I write then when I text.”

“Steph actually handed in a psych paper written entirely in a mix of text and other netspeak once. I couldn’t even get past the first page, but once she showed her prof the ‘real’ version, he gave her extra credit for creativity,” LeAnne giggled.

Michelle shook her head. “That Steph is sure a weird one. I met her in the front parade area, near the fountain. I dropped my purse and lost half the contents on the ground, and she was the only one to stop to help me. The weird part was she was wearing Mismatched shoes and socks that day.”

“She calls herself an observationalist,” LeAnne giggled. “Not just an observer - she takes it a step further. She likes to do things - some subtle, some really not subtle, to see how people react. I can promise you though that her helping you was completely genuine. She’s the sweetest, most loyal friend I’ve ever had.”

Taylor tilted her head to one side and giggled. “She sounds like someone who’d walk up to a Scotsman over there and ask him if the rumors are true.”

Michelle glanced over at Taylor. “What rumors?”

Taylor grinned. “The ones about what they don’t wear under their kilts.”

“Oh gawd,” LeAnne practically cackled. “She would too!”

Michelle giggled, “Well when Steph gets back from Scotland, she’s got a room here. She’s more then welcome because she’s been a very good friend.”

LeAnne grinned broadly as she hugged Michelle. “I know she’s going to love that. She gushed for a week about Mom’s home cooking the one time I managed to convince her to come with me to visit. Anyhow, I’m ready when y’all are. I know it’s early, but with Linda’s condition she’s gonna have to go on leave any day now so I’m gonna help pick up the nurses’ slack a bit.”

Michelle nodded, and grabbed her car keys, “The faster we go the quicker we can call Kingsley an over and done with thing,” she answered, giving LeAnne and Taylor a smile as she headed for the door to start the car.

“I love this old Mustang,” LeAnne commented casually. Hey, Sweet Pea,” she called over her shoulder at Taylor, “You want to ride shotgun?”

“Wow. Really?” Taylor bubbled.

LeAnne smiled as she nodded. “Sure. I mean either way we’d both have to get out at the hospital when y’all drop me off,” she reasoned, sliding the front seat forward so she could get in the back, and letting the seat drop back again. Taylor jumped in the front seat.

“I love it too, it was the only thing Daddy ever did for me, other than the new yacht.” She frowned slightly at that. “I don’t want to get rid of it, but at the same time I really don’t want to keep it around anymore, but everytime I get an offer I don’t get good vibes from the person so I refuse.” Michelle smiled as she got in the driver’s seat and waited for everyone to buckle up.

“I might know a buyer,” LeAnne offered thoughtfully. “I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow when I pick up my car.”

“Sounds good, but I need to meet this person first. I won’t just sell her to anyone.” Michelle answered as she pulled out of the driveway and headed to the hospital to drop off LeAnne.

The three pulled into the nursing parking and Michelle smiled back at LeAnne. “So you have a beautiful day ok hon? And I’ll try to keep Taylor out of trouble till I drop her off at the mall.”

Taylor hopped out to let LeAnne out, and as she slid back into the passenger seat again, LeAnne walked around the car and leaned down, giving Michelle a very public display of affection right there in the parking lot. She grinned brightly. “See you later. You two have a great day.”

Michelle grinned after the two kissed. “Love ya; see you at noon!” When LeAnne turned to walk away, Michelle wolf whistled at her.

LeAnne giggled, glanced over her shoulder, and gave her rump a playful wiggle before continuing on inside.

Taylor shook her head. “Adults. You guys are sooo silly.” She laughed quietly as she went back to texting Trisha and Megan.

Michelle laughed. “I can’t believe I just did that, but I can’t believe she kissed me like that in public either. It’s so unlike either of us. Hercules was right, y’know,” she teased. She distinctly remembered watching Disney’s Hercules, and cynically laughing at the line ‘People do crazy things when they’re in love.’

Taylor looked up from her phone and smiled. “It’s great to see you so happy.”

“Know what makes me happier than having LeAnne in my life sweet pea?” Michelle grinned as they turned onto the highway to head to Kingsley.

“Ice cream?” she teased, giggling.

“Well that’s the third thing; you’re the first, and then it’s LeAnne, then thank you heaven for Ice cream.” Michelle giggled.

Taylor laughed as she looked up. “Hey, that’s Sunshine isn’t it? Wow. It’s huge,” she added, pointing out the large private school campus on the outskirts of town. It was a massive school, at least for the size of Alpine Springs, with its own private dorms on either side, a large gym, and athletics fields for soccer, football, and a baseball/softball diamond.

“Yeah, that’s where you will be going to school sweet pea. At least you don’t have to live on campus now though.” Michelle smiled as they drove out of town, headed down the highway to Kingsley. “I had the lawyer hire a professional cleaning crew to go over the house and straighten everything, so it won’t be weird to go in there.” Michelle smiled to reassure Taylor.

“Oh and I forgot to tell you, that you’re supposed to meet with someone later today about getting your uniform for Girl Scouts. I paid your dues and stuff for you.” Michelle quickly added, “I think it’s Trisha’s mom that will have it for you.”

“Oh yeah! Trisha said there’s a big meeting tomorrow afternoon. I told her I’d ask you about it. When’d you have time to sneak that one past me?” she giggled. “You’re like, super-mom or something.”

Michelle grinned, “She called me when I was upstairs changing, and I called the girls scouts troup here and paid your dues for you. When they asked if you knew anyone in the scouts here I told them about Trisha and Megan, and they told me they would give Trisha’s mom a uniform for you to try on.”

Taylor nodded with a smile as she started to scratch her chest a little. “That’s so cool.” and then she went back to texting her friends. She giggled after a moment. “Megan wants to know if you’re psychic, and if so, what the next winning lottery numbers are.”

“Tell her she’s too young to play the lottery, and I can only read your mind.” Michelle winked as they pulled off the highway into Kingsley.

“She says L-O-L,” Taylor giggled. “At Kings, C U L Eight R,” she said out loud as she punched in a message to send to both girls, then put her phone away, quietly watching the familiar scenery pass her by. “This place already doesn’t feel like home anymore.”

“It never really did for me either, when I came back here to where I was living when I first started at Yale. I kind of moved back here to be closer to you sweet pea, but it felt really odd being here.”

Michelle smiled as they pulled into their parents driveway. Both their parents’ cars were parked in the garage so she hadn't had a chance to see them yet. In the driveway was a blue sports car with a woman sitting in the front seat. “That must be the lawyer,” Michelle said as she parked the car.

“Oh my God,” Taylor whispered. “I want a car like that when I’m older!” She continued to stare as they got out of the car. A woman in a smart black business suit stepped out of the sports car with an attache case in one hand. Her shoulder length black hair lay perfectly styled, not a strand out of place, and her bright green eyes seemed to almost pop.

“You must be Michelle and Taylor? I’m so sorry again about your loss, but it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” she offered rather warmly as she offered her hand to shake the girls’.

Michelle shook the woman’s hand, “It’s nice to finally put to a face to the voice I’ve been talking to the last four days. You said I had some things to sign and then we could go into the house?”

“Yes. It’s all very straightforward in this case,” she answered with a smile. “I can’t tell you how nightmarish these things can get when there’s no will or last wishes. You girls are incredibly lucky they left everything in writing,” she continued as she opened her case, produced a small stack of documents, and handed them over. “You’re welcome to look over everything first if you’d like, of course.”

“Sure, it won’t take a moment. I’ve had to learn some legal jargon taking Bio Med at Yale, and when I was dealing with our Aunts estate.” She looked over the will and the document. They left everything not surprisingly to Taylor, but they did one thing that shocked Michelle still, they left her in charge of Taylor and the estate and money from the estate till Taylor was old enough. Michelle smiled as she signed the documents. “Here you go.”

The woman accepted the documents and placed them back in her case again. “It’s such an unfortunate incident. I know your parents left specific instructions post-mortem that have already been carried out, but if you need any help sorting through any of this please don’t hesitate to give me a call.”

The woman gave Michelle and Taylor both a sympathetic smile, deciding to leave out the part about meeting with their mother to discuss divorce proceedings barely a month ago. Instead she shook Michelle and Taylor’s hands again and turned to return to her car.

“Thank you Sasha. Do you happen to have the key to the house? I know Taylor’s got hers, but knowing Dad he removed the spare hidden key a long time ago.” Michelle smirked.

“Oh, yes! I almost forgot!” Sasha answered, reaching for her briefcase again and producing two sets of keys. “These were among your parents’ personal items. I’m going to assume that one of those goes to each of the cars in the garage as well, but for privacy’s sake I haven’t tried too hard to find out, I’ll admit.

“But if not, do let me know. Your mother and I spent a great deal of time talking before she passed, and I’d consider it a personal favor to her to help her daughters, you see.” She smiled professionally, in the back of her mind hoping that comment didn’t come off too badly.

Before Michelle let Sasha go because she caught what she had said, “Did she really call me her daughter?”

Sasha nodded, and sighed after a moment. “I suppose you’re going to hear this sooner or later.” She paused to glance at Taylor. “Why don’t we let your sister inside first so she can start sorting out what she wants to keep?”

Michelle nodded and went to the door unlocking it. “Sweet Pea go upstairs and pack your clothes into a suitcase, and I’ll be right in ok?”

“Fine,” Taylor answered softly. Part of her really wanted to know what the big secret was, and she was far too intelligent to be so easily bought off with the ‘It’s adult talk’ argument either, but for the sake of Michelle she went inside anyway.

“Thank you sweet pea.” Michelle called after her, “I’ll get you ice cream later ok?”

Sasha smiled as she watched. “Poor girl.” She turned back to Michelle again. “Even though I believe just as much as anyone that this was just a freak accident, the timing still startled me. To be honest sweetheart, I’m not just in charge of handling your parents’ affairs. I’m also... Or rather I was going to be, your mother’s divorce attorney.”

“I still don’t follow you. What does this have to do with her calling me ‘daughter’?”

“Well, you see, when your mother first became a client of mine, when I drew up the original wills for them both, it just seemed as though something was bothering her, so I took a chance, and did the one thing my boss is always telling me to never do.

“I asked, and became emotionally involved. Her feelings about your gender status were ‘complicated’ to say the least, but I do think part of her resented your father for the way you were treated. She was contemplating divorce proceedings in order to get Taylor into a somewhat more positive environment.”

Sasha paused to take a breath. “She knew that, her personal feelings aside, that you are legally recognized as female now, and that if anything happened to them, that you would know what was in Taylor’s best interest going forward. So in the strictest sense, yes, she called you her daughter. I’m sorry that it couldn’t have been more personal than that.”

Michelle nodded. “Yeah, me too.” She sighed. “But at least she recognized that I really do love my sister, and want what’s best for her.”

Sasha smiled softly. “I believe so too. She’s been through so much already that I didn’t want to be the one to have to tell her that her parents were getting a divorce so soon after she’d lost them.”

“She’s extremely intelligent Sasha. I’m going to have to tell her.” Michelle sighed, “I can’t keep it from her. She’s going to find out sooner or later from someone, or by going through mom and dad’s things.”

“I understand. To be honest, that’s why I’m telling you now. I’d rather she hear it from someone she trusts than a complete stranger - or worse, find out on her own, as you said. She needs to know that, while yes, her mother was going to do this to protect her, she didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t believe your father was an abusive man, but I do believe she was tired of fighting with him.”

“Yeah, he kinda threw me out of the house, not physically, but yeah, so my aunt - his sister - took me in.”

“That was most unfortunate - to put it politely. It really saddens me that some people didn’t want to give people like you a chance, for what it’s worth. And that’s not just the sensitivity training talking - but due to client confidentiality that’s all I can say.” She smiled professionally.

Michelle nodded, “A lot of us prefer anonymity. Most people who know me or see me think pretty girl, which I lucked out I guess.” she smiled at that.

“Honestly, the only reason I knew you were the one I should be expecting was because you had Taylor with you,” Sasha replied with a professional smile. “I should let you get to your business here, but again, if you need anything, please let me know.”

“Yeah, thank you for everything Sasha.” Michelle smiled as she shook the woman’s hand again and went inside to help Taylor.

Inside, Taylor had only just begun packing - the reason why being evident. Her old bedroom was far from what she remembered, and though far less furnished than her new, much larger one, it was no less girlish. A two story dollhouse sat in the corner, and a white satin comforter lay on the bed, a few token stuffed animals lining a shelf over it.

“Nice room sweet pea. Some of those were my stuffed animals huh?” Michelle teased and leaned over to kiss Taylor on the forehead.

“It’s weird. It’s like what I always wanted, but it was nothing like this before.” She shook her head slowly. “Kinda scary. I should love it, but part of me’s a little freaked out. I’ll be glad to just leave this house behind. The day I went to the park, it was partly to get away from them.” She frowned up at Michelle. “I didn’t even say goodbye. I-I just took off walking,” she stammered, and started to cry softly, wrapping her arms around Michelle.

Michelle sighed and held Taylor close to her, “I’m glad you walked out sweet pea, otherwise you wouldn’t be here with me today. Do you want any of your toys sweetie?”

“Yeah,” she finally managed to respond. “I want to take as much as I can.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell her that the dollhouse in the corner was in her dreams about the strange girl named Faith, but she also couldn’t bring herself to leave it behind.

“Ok, I’m going to call a moving van to come in and take this stuff to our new place, but lets take what we can now.”

“We can put my old bed in one of the guest bedrooms,” Taylor replied, managing to get her emotions back under control again. “You can decide what to do with the other furniture and junk. It doesn’t really mean anything to me. Should I get a garbage bag to carry some of this stuff in? Not to throw away, but since I don’t know if we’ve got any boxes in the house to use...”

“Sure sweetie, you can do that. And I know what you mean about not throwing it away.” Michelle added with a reassuring smile, and Taylor stepped out of the room and raced to the kitchen.

Michelle left Taylor’s room and walked up to the door that used to be hers, and opened it slowly, not sure what was going to be on the other side of the door.

“They kept everything the way you left it,” Taylor said softly from behind. “I think maybe Mom thought you’d eventually come home. She used to come in here sometimes and cry, when she thought no one would notice. At least … that’s what I remember now.” She frowned a little.

Michelle just stared at everything in the room, exactly the same way it looked the day their dad threw her out of the house, “I.. I thought maybe dad would have tossed it all.” Michelle walked to the closet and pulled one of the panellings out and giggled softly, “My old clothing stash is still here.”

“Oh wow,” Taylor giggled, peeking around from behind. “That dress would have looked SO good on you! Tell me you bought another one like it when you started living as a girl with Auntie?”

Michelle held the dress close to her, “No I could never find another one like it sweet pea, but it’s yours now when you grow into it some ok?”

Taylor’s eyes went wide. “Thank you so much. I promise I’ll wear it as soon as it doesn’t swallow me up,” she giggled excitedly.

Michelle giggled as she handed the dress to Taylor, “I love you sweet pea, and if you want any of my old stuffed animals other than Butterbear, you can have them.” Michelle smiled.

“You should keep them. I’m sure LeAnne wouldn’t mind,” Taylor answered with a grin.

Michelle giggled, “I could but if you want any of them you can take some. I noticed you took a couple already.” she leaned down and kisses Taylor on the forehead again, and then started going through her stuff taking what she wanted to take before being kicked out, then moved to their parents room, to get the expensive jewelry as to not leave it behind. “Get your room ready Sweet Pea, I’m going downstairs to see what mom and dad left for cars.”

“I swear I don’t remember doing it,” Taylor giggled, but squeezed her hand as she passed, heading back for her room.

A few moments later Michelle came up with a grin, “That is one sweet sports car. I’ll have Kevin a friend of mine here in town come pick up my old car and the van. We’re driving that sports car home, but we can load the van up with your stuff Sweet Pea.”

Taylor giggled. “Told you so. Does that mean we’re keeping both? I’ve never even ridden in the sports car,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. “Not that Dad actively forbade it or anything. It just never came up.”

Michelle smiled and nodded, “I think we can keep them both; I don’t see why not.” She grabbed some of the stuff Taylor packed into the bags and started to bring them downstairs to the van. Taylor followed close behind with a bulky, but light bag over her shoulder as well.

“Gosh, this stupid cast,” she grumbled. “At least it doesn’t hurt to text,” she added with a giggle.

“I know you want that thing off now sweet pea. It won’t be long, but you know after it comes off you will have to go through physical training to use your arm right again.” Michelle leaned over to kiss Taylor’s forehead.

Around eleven thirty, they had packed everything they wanted at the house right now into the van and Michelle’s friend had came and picked up her old Shelby, leaving them with the brand new Shelby convertible.

“Wait, don’t pull out onto the highway yet,” Taylor announced excitedly and quickly opened the glove compartment. A new pair of $200 sunglasses slid out onto the drawer as if they were just begging to be worn. She giggled as she reached over, setting them on top of Michelle’s head. “Okay, NOW we can go.”

Michelle smiled as she pulled the shades over her eyes, and hit the highway. “Want to see how fast this thing can go sweet pea?” She giggled.

Taylor squealed as she grabbed onto her seat with anticipation. “I don’t see any cops around,” she added, looking around cautiously as the wind tossed her beautiful blonde hair around wildly.

“I see pops got himself a newer radar detector on this thing anyway.” Michelle grinned as she hit the gas and sped down the highway at around 150 miles per hour.

“Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee,” Taylor giggled, tilting her head back a little and taking in the sweet scent of fast freedom. “Oh my God. No wonder Daddy liked this car so much.” She paused just a moment. Somehow calling him ‘Daddy’ had become more and more natural over the last couple of days, to the point that she almost didn’t even notice it this time.

Michelle started to slow down abit down to the 75 mph speed limit. “There’s a speed trap up ahead. No sense in getting a ticket huh sweet pea?” she commented, as they drove past a highway patrol car. Taylor just gave the highway patrol a friendly wave and a girlish smile, giggling.

“Oh, we so need to get a bumper sticker for the van that says “Normally I drive a Shelby” for when you or LeAnne get stuck with Soccer Mom carpool duty,” she added, giggling louder.

Michelle giggled. “That sounds cool - to be a soccor mom that is.”

At that moment a girl about Michelle’s age, with long black hair, plum lipstick, and a black lace tank top, driving a mid-90s model black Mustang whipped around them, driving alongside just long enough for the girl to grin at the pair, wave, and speed off ahead to the distinct sound of a turbocharger flexing its muscles. A bright gold bumper sticker on the back proclaimed in bold lettering, “My girlfriend’s a cheerleader - deal with it!”

Michelle giggled, “I think she was challenging us Sweet Pea,” as she romped the gas to catch up to the girl in the other mustang and pulled alongside her, with a smile on her face.

The girl clearly laughed as she realized they had caught up. She grinned and waved with one hand before said hand disappeared again. A moment later she had thrown the car into top gear, slamming on the gas to try and edge ahead. Allthewhile, Taylor just giggled at the rivalry.

“We can take her right?” she asked.

“Depends on what she’s got under the hood of that thing.” Michelle grinned, “And how much Pops paid for this one,” she added, hitting the gas and speeding off ahead of the girl. Taylor looked over her shoulder, watching the black Mustang slowly fade from sight for a moment or two at least, and giggled.

“That was so cool!”

The girl finally caught up to them again, but only because they had slowed down to take the exit. It almost seemed she was following them now.

Michelle smiled, “Looks like she’s waving us to pull into the gas station. Should we?” she asked, looking over to see the girl waving them, as she turned her blinker on to turn into the gas station.

“Sure,” Taylor giggled. “She seems friendly enough. And I’m pretty sure I heard a tire iron rolling around under my seat if not.”

Michelle smiled and giggled as she turned on her signal to join the girl at the gas station, pulling into a spot next to the store, “That was fun wasn’t it?”

The girl laughed as she stepped out of her car, revealing tight black jeans and matte black boots with a two inch heel. “Damn girl. Where’d you learn to drive like that?” she teased. She had a distinct, if slight, Southern drawl, not really unlike LeAnne’s, but more laid-back, and more understandable.

“I’ve got a buddy who sometimes works for a NASCAR driver, and I got some personal lessons from the guy he works for back when I was considering joining the drag racing scene.” Michelle smiled as she got out of her car.

The girl looked over Michelle’s new car for a moment or two. “Well damn, no wonder you skunked my butt. Didn’t realize this was the new GT350 I was up against.”

“Yeah its a front convertible, supercharged. My old man before he passed bought it. Taylor and I just inherited it and wanted to test the speeds out.” Michelle smiled. “Good thing we passed the trooper a bit back you know?”

The girl giggled. “I swear he was waiting for me. He was on the other side of the road when I went to Kings this morning to check on a friend. Oh, I’m Nikki,” she added, offering her hand. “Hope I didn’t scare you guys.”

“I didn’t see him on our way to Kings. I’m Michelle and that’s my..” a small pause, “daughter Taylor.” Michelle grinned.

“Wow. I hope I look that good when I’ve got a daughter her age,” Nikki teased.

“I adopted my lil sister; I’m seventeen!” Michelle giggled.

“Ohhh, wait, I know you guys. You just moved in down the street from my girlfriend’s sister’s place.”

“Whos that? I just started meeting people around here, but it’s a wonderful town though.” Michelle smiled.

Nikki giggled. “Robin Smith - her sister Margie and my best friend Allison live in the cul de sac with Sarah and her family.”

“That’s Sarah Cameron right? LeAnne lives with us.” Michelle smiled.

Nikki grinned. “That’s her. It’s kind of a grapevine thing. LeAnne told her mom, who told Sarah, who told Robin, who told me. Confused yet?” she teased, grinning. Taylor giggled.

Michelle giggled as well, “Anyway, your girlfriend Robin is a sweet young lady. She’s brave.” Michelle winked to let Nikki know what she was talking about.

“You have nooo idea. The crap she’s been through since she moved here, I wouldn’t have been able to do it - not if I wanted to stay sane anyway.”

“Oh she’s told me some of it, but I can’t talk about everything, you know doctor patient confidentiality.” Michelle grinned.

Recognition dawned on Nikki’s face at that comment. “OH! I didn’t realize you were THAT Michelle.” She grinned at that, stepped closer, and pulled her into a hug.

“Yeah, the one and the same,” she answered and hugged her back. “Hey, once Taylor gets her cast off, we’re going to have a big pool party. Since you’re friends with the Camerons I figured I’d invite you.”

“Sounds great. I’ve been dying for an excuse to get Robin to at least try on a two piece. Hopefully the new plumbing will at least let her lounge around the pool, hey?” she added with an almost impish giggle.

“Oh I’m sure she’ll be able to do a lot more than just that/ We did something new for her. It’s still experimental which is why I was there. Some of the hormone therapy she’s been on is also some things we just got approved by the FDA.”

Nicole just giggled under her breath. She knew all about the specialist. The only thing they couldn’t do was what they’d done for Sarah. Nikki had made them promise no magic involvement to make her ‘real’ - it’d have destroyed the core, the essence of what made Robin the girl she loved.

She smiled warmly. “It’s amazing work, what y’all accomplished with her. I mean she’s obviously still as sore as anyone who’s been through a major surgery, but she called me from Ally’s house next door this morning. That’s some kinda record in itself.”

“Yeah, the recovery time should a lot better for her, with more functionality, and some other bonuses, but she will still never be able to have kids, regrettably.” Michelle frowned.

“Oh, yeah, but she’ll still be a mother - once we’re both out of college.” Nikki coughed and giggled. “She snuck that one by me until the last minute.”

Michelle smiled and gave a nod, “Maybe by then we can figure out a way for girls like Robin to have children.”

“I hope so. I mean, I feel kind of guilty knowing I’ll eventually get to carry her child, but not the other way around, y’know?” She paused thoughtfully. “Anyway, I should let you guys get on with your day - plus I’ve got a Mustang to track down.”

“Nice meeting you Nikki. I need to get Taylor to the mall so she can meet up with her friends, and a lunch date with a very special nurse.” Michelle grinned.

Nikki giggled. “Sounds like fun.” She took about three steps toward her car, paused, and looked back.

“And do me a favor - one ‘stang owner to another?” She grinned. “if you run across anyone selling a ‘69 Shelby lemme know? I need something that’s as close to original as possible. Nonna these tinker toy engine in a Shelby body travesties so-called sellers have been trying to stick me with.” She smiled and waved, turning to get back into her car again.

“69? Convertible? “ Michelle yelled before Nikki got all the way into her car.

Nikki froze and sloooowly turned back. “Convertible would be a huge plus. I can do the mods myself, but I’d rather not get stuck with a cab roof I don’t need lying around.”

“I know the perfect girl who owns a ‘69 Shelby custom convertible. The body is in wonderful shape, needs a new paint job, and has had like almost 6k in work done on it.” Michelle grinned.

The goth girl sprinted - not ran, but sprinted, back to Michelle. “You’ve got my undivided attention. I’ll be honest with you. My mustang was my Dad’s sweet sixteen present to me. We spent two years rebuilding it together, and I want to repay the favor. I want to buy him a vintage ‘69 for his birthday, and money is no object.”

“Ok so this girl is me, my dad got it for me. It was like the only nice thing he ever did. I think he was trying to win me back to being a boy or something.” Michelle giggled. “And if you give me your phone number, I can give you a call when I get home so you can come check it out ok?”

Nikki practically cackled. “Your dad would’ve crapped his pants if he ever saw me in a long flowing dress, ass bent over the front of some poor sap’s broken down car on the roadside. I love engines. It is so not a guy thing.”

Michelle giggled noticing the comment went over Nikki’s head and wasn’t bound to explain it to her. “Yeah I know some about motors, but not much, I’m more of a science nerd,” she giggled., “Going to Yale to study Bio Med.”

“Oh Gawd. Remind me to introduce you to Chelsea sometime. Nice girl, but gratingly perfect,” she teased, but grinned. “And I’d love to look at your car.”

Michelle pulled out her Cellphone, and gave nikki her number, “I’ve been looking to get rid of her, but I could never find the right person to sell her to. I like you though, and I think she will like you too.”

“That’s the trouble with vintage cars. People either want to strip them down for their own projects, or try to do their own ‘improvements’, wreck the engine, and then sell it to a junk yard. There’s no respect for the art anymore.”

Taylor looked up trying to ignore most of the boring conversation, “My friend Megan said to say Hello to Spirits friend Hope,” looking at Nikki.

Nikki giggled loudly as she leaned on the door just enough to reach out and tousle Taylor’s hair. “Tell her I said ‘Hey’ - oh, and ask her how her poison ivy’s doing,” she added with an innocent grin..

Taylor nodded, and texted off to Megan and got a quick response, “She just said groan.”

“Hehehehehe!” Nikki responded. “It wasn’t too bad really, but she has a few freckles on her leg too, which Nurse Bri mistook for another patch so... yeah.” She laughed.

“Oh I’m going to be a girl scout this year!” Taylor bubbled, “Trisha and Megan both are in, and told me they would help me catch up with the other girls.”

“You know I’ll let you in on a little secret. Before Ally - Serenity at camp, convinced me to join with Robin, I was pretty much the antithesis of what I thought Girl Scouts were all about. I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong though. I think you’re gonna love it. If you ever need any help with anything, and those two aren’t around, don’t hesitate to call me okay? Your sister’s got my private cell number now.” She smiled broadly.

“Thank you Hope.” Taylor grinned using Nikki’s camp name, and then went back to texting her two friends.

Nikki giggled. “It’s what CITs are here for.” She winked at Michelle at that. “Same goes for you though. If you guys need anything, day or night, a friend of LeAnne’s is a friend of the Morgans’ - and I’m not just saying that because you have a vintage Shelby that isn’t a piece of sh-um... crap.” Of course it didn’t hurt that her grandmother’s coven had a very strong interest in these two lately, but she genuinely liked them both.

“Thank you Nikki, Ever since we moved to Alpine Springs we’ve had nothing but warm greetings, it makes me really glad we moved here.” Michelle smiled.

Nikki giggled. “I love it here. I grew up in foster homes since I was five after … well, after bad shit happened to me. This was the first place I ever truly felt safe. Anyhow, I should let y’all go before Megan and Trisha break out the pitch forks.” She paused to wink at Taylor, who had just looked up from her phone. She blinked and laughed, returning to her texting.

Michelle laughed to herself as she got back in, pulled her seatbelt across, and pulled into traffic not far behind Nikki, as she pulled out her smartphone to check her GPS app. Michelle’s phone beeped, indicating a text message just as she was about to set it down. She laughed. “Oh, it’s Nikki. She says LeAnne’s car is ready. Now I know who LeAnne wanted to look at it. Kinda spooky, but I’m getting used to that sort of thing happening lately...” she trailed off.

Michelle pulled into the mall parking lot, and pulled her wallet out of her purse. “I’m going to give you some money to shop with Sweet Pea. Whatever you don’t spend is your allowance for the week.” Michelle winked, “But we need to supply you with some new stuff so how about...” she counted out four twenties and handed them to Taylor.

Taylor’s eyes went as wide as saucers as she stared at the large wad of cash placed in her palm. After a moment or two she managed to collect herself, responding in a fake-disappointed tone, “Oh, I suppose I can get by with this - for now...” She giggled and hugged Michelle. “Thanks! You’re the best!”

“You’re welcome Sweet Pea. Be safe and remember call me when you want to come home, or if anything happens ok?” Michelle smiled and kissed Taylor on the cheek.

“Ok! Have fun with LeAnne,” she bubbled excitedly as she slid the money into her small white handbag, pushing the hidden magnetic closure flap shut tight and hopping out of the car.

Michelle waited for Taylor to go into the mall, before she entered the address for LeAnne’s mothers restaurant and then made a phone call to place a take out order, “Is Meg busy? Yes I’ll hold.”

Michelle hung onto the phone for a moment before Meg answered, “Hello Meg? This is Michelle; we haven’t had a chance to meet yet. I’m going to be meeting LeAnne for lunch and was wondering if I could place two to go orders, one of something really special for LeAnne, and whatever you have that’s good for me?”

“Michelle, dear, I’m from the South - it’s all good!” Meg’s teasing voice responded warmly. “But I know just the thing. Swing by in about, oh, ten minutes, and just tell Laura that it’s for LeAnne. She’ll come find me.”

“Thanks Meg! I can’t wait to eat it. LeAnne made the best breakfast this morning I’ve eaten in ages.” Michelle giggled softly into the phone, “I’m on my way over now. I just dropped Taylor off at the mall,” she added, turning onto the strip of road that led to the restaurant.

“I look forward to meeting you, dear. You’ve certainly made an impression on LeAnne,” she responded cheerfully.

Michelle said her goodbyes really quickly, as she pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and waited a few more minutes to go inside. As she entered , she was blown away by how beautiful it the decor looked inside, approaching the register. “I’m here for an order for LeAnne.”

“Oh, just one second,” the young woman behind the counter answered nervously and raced off, poking her head around a blind corner for just a moment before returning to the front again. Just behind her was a middle-aged woman bearing a striking family resemblance to LeAnne, except for her darker hair, carrying two sealed styrofoam packages balanced easily on one hand.

She smiled and, with her other hand, wrapped an arm around Michelle’s neck. “This one’s on the house dear. Well, LeAnne’s usually are anyway.” She winked. “Fresh cheddar biscuits, batter-dipped smothered steak and potatoes with a side of steamed mixed veggies.”

Michelle smiled. “So you’re LeAnne’s mom. I guess that makes you mom then..” She grinned. “Thanks but I can’t take it for free. Gosh it smells so good though.”

“Oh, I insist. We take care of our own, sweetie, and now that LeAnne’s finally found someone she feels comfortable enough with someone to actually date again...” She smiled broadly. “Welcome to the family, dear. It might sound premature, but I know my daughter. I’ve never seen her so happy as when she left last night.”

“You and your husband, and the girls should stop over sometime and see the new house, and thank you mom.” Michelle grinned, “I promise to take care of LeAnne, and support her in any direction she wants to take her life. She’s really special to me.”

Meg smiled brightly. “By the way, if you ever need a break just give me a call ok? Sarah’s old enough to take care of herself, and the twins are just a joy to have around. We’d love to have Taylor over any time.

“But I won’t keep you, dear. LeAnne’s waiting for you I’m sure. I just wanted to meet my future daughter-in-law.” She winked, but grinned as she carefully handed over the two meals. “Oh! I almost forgot to ask if you wanted a drink with this? I’ve got LeAnne’s iced tea back in the back-” she started, but the nervous cashier had already approached, holding it out.

“You left this in the back ma’am,” she added, holding out a styrofoam cup with a secure lid and straw. “Can I get you something?” she asked, glancing at Michelle and smiling warmly.

“Oh, um a diet coke?” Michelle asked. “And thank you. It’s Michelle by the way.”

“No problem! Oh, um, I’m Laura. Nice to meet you,” she answered, and then turned to race back to the back. Margaret laughed softly.

“She’s such an outgoing girl when she’s not behind the register. I think she just gets nervous handling money. But she works hard.”

Laura returned barely a moment later with a fresh, tall drink in hand as well as a recycled cardboard cup holder, which she inserted LeAnne’s iced tea glass into, setting both neatly on top of the stacked meal boxes before returning to her duties at the register.

“Thanks Laura, “ Michelle answered, slipping her a ten dollar tip, “And thanks mom. I’ll definitely make sure to come by and visit you again.”

Laura giggled as she stared at the tip, a little surprised. Meg grinned. “I think you just made her week,” she whispered, adding, “Anytime dear. I’m usually here during the rush, at least until I can coax a professional chef with management experience to move to our little slice of heaven here.”

Michelle grinned. “It shouldn’t be hard. Just tell them that everyone here is so darn friendly,” she mused, grabbing the food and the drink tray. “I’d best be off to LeAnne.”

“Give her my regards dear, and have a wonderful date-” she paused, “Oops, I mean ‘day’.” She grinned innocently as she turned to step back into the kitchen.

Michelle got into her car and started off to the hospital just as she got another text this one was from LeAnne asking if she was on her way. Michelle couldn’t help resist the urge, so she texted back “Yes, and I got us some McDs Angus burgrs. :-) 10mins.”

“At least we’re @ good place 4 hrt atk ;-) C U @lobby,” LeAnne texted back, probably giggling at that point.

Michelle pulled into the hospital visiting parking in her brand new Shelby and got out, carrying two styrofoam containers and a cup holders with two drinks, entering the Lobby she looked around and spotted LeAnne. “Ah there you are. All you interns look the same,” she teased.

“Hey you!” LeAnne giggled as she wrapped Michelle in a hug, giving her a light kiss in full view of the nurse she had been chatting with only a moment or two earlier. “Gawd that smells so much better than an Angus burger.”

Michelle kissed back softly, “Your mom made them special for us, and a special ice tea for you as well.”

“She knows me, what can I say,” LeAnne giggled. “Smells like... Mmm.. Smothered steak with onion sauce. Let’s get up to the roof before everyone comes running to sneak a bite,” she teased.

Michelle giggled, “Hospital vultures. And I forgot my repellent,” she joked, following LeAnne to the elevator.

As the doors opened, a young blonde-haired woman dressed in light pink scrubs smiled at the pair. “Ooh, LeAnne’s Mom’s been cooking again,” the woman - barely 18 in appearance, teased as she slipped past the two. LeAnne giggled, but scratched her head as she watched her leave.

Michelle giggled, “Which one was that? I think I’ve seen her here before.”

“She looks kinda familiar, but I don’t really recognize her. I thought I knew everybody here. She might just be a new girl,” she added. “News of my mother’s cooking does travel fast.”

“Oh Well, lets go get this food eaten. I’m starving.” Michelle giggled.

LeAnne pressed the button for the roof and stepped back, pressing her back against the elevator wall. “So how was Kingsley?”

“Eventful. Talked to mom and dad’s lawyer, got a friend to move all their stuff to the house, and I need to call the Real estate agent to put it on the market, and Sweet Pea has more clothes and Toys then I ever did.” Michelle smiled.

LeAnne giggled as she wrapped an arm around Michelle and kissed her cheek. “You know if you want to start a stuffed animal collection or anything, y’know, make up for lost time, I wouldn’t think it weird or anything.”

“Oh thanks sweetie. I got a few from the house. Mom wouldn’t let pops throw them out I guess. Oh! We’ve got two new toys as well. A nice Ford van and a new Shelby of the year.” Michelle grinned broadly.

“Wait, you mean those Anniversary models? Holy shit, Michelle. I haven’t even SEEN one! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a motorhead or anything,” she added with a giggle, “But some of the guys I work with, it’s all they can talk about.”

“I wonder if we can see it from the roof? it’s in the parking lot. Oh and Nikki said you’re car is done, so that makes three.”

“Oh, you met Nikki already?” LeAnne giggled. “Can’t wait to get my car back. She said it’d run like new once she was done with it.”

“Yeah we raced from Kings to Alpine.” Michelle giggled.

LeAnne started to laugh. “Oh gawd, that sounds like her all right. That girl loves her cars. She’s the one I was going to introduce you to about selling yours.”

“Yeah I told her about it already. I like her, and I think the old girl will love to be owned by Nikki.” Michelle smiled as the elevator stopped on the roof floor and they both got out.

“She’ll treat it right. Heck, knowing her she might even make it her main car.” LeAnne giggled as she stepped out onto the rooftop. Directly ahead of them a path led through a small rooftop garden in full summer bloom, with a small, open gazebo in one corner.

“God it’s gorgeous up here LeAnne. Thanks for showing me this,” Michelle commented as she followed LeAnne to the gazebo.

“This is kind of my special place. I come up here to think, relax, or just enjoy the view. Hardly anybody even knows about it, which is actually kind of sad. It’s just so pretty, and the view is amazing.” She stopped at the gazebo and giggled.

“Oh, and you can even get a great view of the city from the guard rail - there’s another safety ledge a few feet down with a ladder in case of an accident, so it’s not like a 100% straight drop. The other side’s not as floral though - just a helicopter landing pad over there.”

“Wow, who takes care of all this?” Michelle looked around as they sat down at the picnic table in the gazebo.

“You know, I’m not really sure. I know someone keeps the garden clear of weeds, and rotates the spring and summer flowers, but my schedule keeps me so busy that I’ve never been able to look into it.” She paused to take a sip of her tea and squealed with delight. “Oh gawd that’s good tea! Absolutely perfect!” Her eyes widened as she opened her food tray. “Oooh my goodness, I forgot about Momma’s cheddar biscuits!”

Michelle grinned as she opened her container with food. “All I did was called your mom and asked if she could make something you would love, and something for me as well, and this is what she whipped out for us.”

LeAnne giggled. “She’s so sweet. You know if she could have her way, she’d have us over for dinner every single night.” LeAnne leaned over and kissed Michelle’s cheek. “Thank you for going to meet her. I know it probably wasn’t easy.”

“You’re mother welcomed me into the family, and we just only met. She’s a sweet woman, and I feel really comfortable calling her Mom, plus she doesn’t seem to mind.” Michelle smiled.

“She’s been through a lot, not just with Sarah, but with Daddy, and in some ways, with me. I think she’s ready for us all to have some stability in our lives.”

“I don’t think you’re dad would love the fact he's got two daughters dating girls.” Michelle frowned as she took a bite of her food.

“Well, honestly, he’s got no room to complain at this point. I told you about what happened between them, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, but hey, at least you still have two parents, and one loving mother.” Michelle grinned, “Who seems very keen on us being together for a long time, since she said I was her future daughter in-law.”

LeAnne giggled, blushing. “Oh Gawd, she really said that?”

Michelle nodded as she sipped her soda. “Yes she did. So what do you want me to fix for dinner tonight?” changing the subject.

“Momma knows me too well,” LeAnne sighed thoughtfully and giggled, nuzzling into Michelle’s shoulder as she bit off a piece of mouth-watering, tender steak. “Mmm, surprise me?” LeAnne asked with a grin.

“Won’t be anything this good; you like liver?” Michelle giggled.

“Chicken or beef?” LeAnne replied with a grin.

“Beef. They didn’t have any chicken liver. Liver, mushrooms and sauteed onions.”

“That sounds good. The only problem I have with chicken liver is … um, well...” She started giggling again. “Remember I’m from the South. Down there we use chicken liver as fish bait to catch catfish with, if we can’t find worms. So ever since I was a kid I’ve never been able to eat chicken liver because of that.”

Michelle giggled, “I’d love to go see where you’re from sometime. It sounds so interesting in the south.” giving LeAnne a soft kiss.

“It’s definitely a different paced lifestyle. It’s not all great, but it’s not all bad either. Just very … different. Honestly I’d love to go back sometime, see what’s changed, meet my brother’s girlfriend and see how Daddy’s gettin’ on. I haven’t even met his new wife, but both Sarah and Ricky’ve told me she’s a great woman.”

“Maybe this summer if you can get time off from the hospital?” Michelle smiled as she ate some more of her food.

“Sure, that’d be great,” LeAnne answered happily as she tore into one of her cheese biscuits. “I’m here voluntarily for extra credit anyway, plus the head nurse likes me, so it should be a cinch to get some time off whenever I want it.”

“Well I don't want to take away from your extra credit. I’m thinking of getting the professor to let me test out of the rest of my summer courses anyway.” Michelle smiled.

“Nah, it wouldn’t affect anything really. Like I said, the head nurse likes me.” LeAnne giggled. “Plus I’ve been thinking about taking August off anyway and just … letting my brain rest for the next semester.”

“Thats what I wanted to do. I mean I’ve been packing summer classes in left and right so I don’t have to take them later, but I need to relax for the semester before I fry myself out you know.” giving LeAnne a grin.

“Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Before Sarah came to live here I almost burned myself out because I was just going constantly so I wouldn’t have to think about... What?” she finally asked, laughing at Michelle’s grin.

“What’s so funny?” Michelle giggled.

“That look,” LeAnne giggled now too. “It’s that ‘Do I say something?’ look. Oh gawd,” she laughed, wiping her chin with her hand. “That’s the thing about Momma’s cheddar biscuits. Some people put the cheese in the dough - Mom melts it right on the hot biscuits instead,” she giggled.

“Do you think your mom would watch Taylor while we went on vacation? I know we just got her, but I’d like to do this for just the two of us. That’s what I was sort of thinking, and that Taylor just made some new friends here, so she might not want to go with us anyway.”

“Oh, absolutely. Sarah’s away in Ireland right now, but she should be back before long. In the meantime she can use Sarah’s bed, plus she seems to like Em and Beth. I think she’d be okay. I wouldn’t want to pull her away from her new friends so soon anyway.”

“Me either, she needs them just as much as she needs me or you, but I think she would want us to go and get to know each other better and have some fun as well.” Michelle smiled as she sipped her soda.

“Fun, huh?” LeAnne teased, grinning innocently.

“Oh God, you’re one of those.” Michelle giggled as she poked LeAnne’s arm.

“What? You don’t like playing license plate bingo?” LeAnne shot back, still grinning. “Nah, in all seriousness though I think it’s a great idea, as long as we make sure she always has a way to call us day or night.

“We can alternate charging our phones, stuff like that, and let her know that we’re doing it. As long as she knows that we’re not abandoning her. Maybe even give her permission to do something while we’re away, like a sleepover at her friends’ house or something.”

“Sounds great, We just have to ok it with mom first.” Michelle grinned loving calling LeAnne’s mom, ‘mom’. “So you tell me when you want to do this, but it can’t be tomorrow, got that meeting with Bethany from Sunshine.” giving LeAnne a grin again as she ate more of her food.

“That soon?” LeAnne giggled. “Um, sure, how about the Tuesday after next weekend? That’ll give me time to get everything in order, and give you another week of bonding time with Sweet Pea. Plus we’ll have the twins for that weekend since Mom and Peter are going to take a couple of days away.”

She giggled as she finished off her meal, placing the plastic spork inside the box. She leaned close to kiss Michelle again. “I love you. I haven’t told Momma about your past or anything - figured it’s not my place to tell her, but she knows how I feel about you, obviously, and she’s okay with ‘us’.”

“Thats what I was thinking, but I wanted you to be the one to plan the date for us to go.” Michelle smiled, “as for the Twins, I almost forgot about that, and as for Mom knowing about me, if she asks I’ll tell her the truth.” giving LeAnne a kiss as she finished her food as well.

“I don’t think it’ll ever come up. You’re naturally poised and very... not just ‘feminine’, but ‘female’. It’s why I’m still kind of surprised I’m so attracted to you.” She giggled again. “There’s just something about you that drives me wild, and now that I know it’s there I can’t ignore it, even for a second. Not … that I want to ignore it,” she added quickly and grinned.

“ANYWAY!” LeAnne bubbled happily as she sood, grabbing Michelle’s hand and pulling her over to the guard rail. “You have to see this before you go.”

“Oh wow,” Michelle whispered, resting her head on LeAnne’s shoulder. “You know what? I think this day just got a little more perfect.”

LeAnne giggled as she leaned on the rail. “You can see almost the entire city from up here. Observing in the ER is stressful as hell. I gotta believe whoever keeps up this garden up here gets the same sense of peace I do. Anyhow,” she paused to smile at Michelle. “I should get back downstairs soon.”

“I’ll see you when you get done, and we can discuss our vacation plans with Taylor when you get home.” Michelle smiled back at LeAnne as she reluctantly pulled away.

“I’ll see you this afternoon sweet thang.” LeAnne grinned. “Gonna have someone drop me off at Nikki’s so I can get my car.”

“Ok; if i’m not home I went to go pick up Taylor from the mall. Love you LeAnne.” Michelle smiled as she went to the elevator and pressed the lobby button on her way out of the Lobby she stopped at the trash to throw away the food containers.

“Love you too,” LeAnne giggled as she turned back to enjoy the view for a minute or two more. “Thank you God in heaven, for unanswered prayers, and for the answered ones too.” She giggled softly as she hopped down away from the rail, picked up her half-finished iced tea, and strolled back to the elevator, humming softly.